TABLE 2.

Integrating existential positive psychology (PP2.0) into a salutogenic approach to psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Salutogenic principle	Corresponding PP2.0 principle(s) that may be integrated	Advantages
Health as a continuum	Limitations of the medical model; aspects of human suffering that cannot (and should not) be “medicalized”	Reduced stigma associated with “psychiatric” diagnosis and care; acceptance of distress as normal and understandable.
Focus on the story of the individual	Consideration of both “micro” (individual) and “macro” (socioeconomic and cultural) factors; aspects of self-transcendence (love of God and others) in the individual’s life	Facilitates the identification of general resistance resources and vulnerabilities; builds empathy and rapport with between individual and therapist
Adaptive nature of tension and stress	Reality and inevitability of suffering and adversity	Minimization of protest or complaint as unhelpful and not constructive; emphasis on positive coping; builds understandability
General resistance resources	Mindfulness Self-transcendence–includes religion and spirituality Love of others and altruism Focus on individual’s core values or virtues, and on their freedom to choose certain behaviors	Reduced distress and anxiety Improved well-being and reduced self-centeredness; builds meaningfulness Benefits family and community Builds manageability
Active adaptation to current circumstances	Well-being as balance between positive goals and negative forces or circumstances Confrontation, rather than avoidance, of adversity	Emphasis on process rather than strictly defined outcome; acceptance of setbacks Makes the individual an active participant in the therapeutic process; builds manageability