Harnessing the Mental Health Benefits of the Creativity–Spirituality Construct: Introducing the Theory of Transformative Coping

Abstract

This article introduces the theory of transformative coping, which proposes that the inherent human capacities of creativity and spirituality form a construct that can be applied in coping. The process of transformative coping and its subsequent mental health benefits is outlined and illustrated by the transformative coping model, which depicts how transformative coping increases positive emotions and resilience. Empirical evidence for the mental health benefits of the individual concepts is presented, and recommendations for practical applications of transformative coping as a useful component in modern healthcare are given.

KEYWORDS:

• creativity
• spirituality
• coping
• mental health
• emotion management
• theory of transformative coping
• transformative coping model