Universality of the Resilience Paradox on the Example of Paulinus of Nola’s Letters to the Trauma-Experiencing Faithful

The aim of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of letters written by Paulinus of Nola, addressed to the faithful experiencing trauma, with the literature on the Conservation of Resources Theory (COR) by Stevan Hobfoll. The comparison focuses on the occurrence of the resilience paradox in the face of traumatic experience. The conducted comparative analysis leads to the conclusion that in the letters addressed to the faithful in trauma, Paulinus utilizes the resilience paradox (initiating resource gains after experiencing significant resource losses), mechanisms of which have been extensively described in the COR theory. Paulinus points out that resource gain spirals in traumatic situations should involve external resources (showing compassion, support, love, closeness, kindness, caring for the suffering person and being a role model for them), as well as internal resources (readiness to listen to the Word of God, reinforcing hope and faith, expressing joy and trust in God, pursuing significant life goals, adopting an ascetic way of life and ascetic attitude to life, experiencing grief in a constructive way while strengthening the sense of self-efficacy by engaging in life-serving pursuits). The resilience assets mentioned by Paulinus are consistent with the stress-reducing factors in the COR concept (sense of security, emotional tranquillity, sense of individual and/or collective efficacy, sense of connection, hope). This type of analysis is significant for two reasons. First, patristic literature lacks research concerning the psychological mechanisms encompassed within the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, including the occurrence of the paradox principle. Second, it seems worthwhile to initiate a series of publications that would present the ways in which the Church Fathers shaped psychological resilience among the faithful experiencing various forms of life trauma. Such knowledge-both theoretical and practical, developed in a certain sense over the centuries-may be utilized by specialists, including clergy, psychologists, and therapists, to foster constructive strategies for coping with contemporary traumas.