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COMPONENTS OF EXISTENTIAL CRISIS: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS

2016; Vytautas Magnus University; Volume: 18; Linguagem: Inglês

10.7220/2345-024x.18.1

1941-7233

Joana Butėnaitė, Jolanta Sondaitė, Antanas Mockus,

Optimism, Hope, and Well-being

Research problem: It is important for psychologists and psychotherapists working with people experiencing different difficulties to understand their experiences of existential crisis. A perspective of existential crisis is presented through special experiences connected with finality and infinite. The attempt is made to present a holistic understanding of existential crisis, differentiating the main components and aspects of existential crisis. After such explanations, it is possible to take a comprehensive look at theories and empirical studies of existential crisis. Purpose: To differentiate and analyze the components and aspects of an existential crisis. Method: Theoretical analysis, which includes the comparison and synthesis of scientific literature and the interpretation of data. Results and conclusion: To differentiate the following components of an existential crisis: the emotional, cognitive and behavioral. The emotional component includes these aspects: emotional pain, despair, helplessness, disturbed sense of integrity, emotional vulnerability, guilt, fear, anxiety and loneliness. The cognitive component includes these aspects: loss of meaning and goals, realization of own end, loss of personal values, decision-making. The behavioral component is characterized by these aspects: restraining actions, rituals, relationship loss, health problems, addictions, anti-social behavior and the need for therapy.