A Realist Account of Stress, PTSD, and Resilience: Lessons from the United States Marine Corps

This book challenges traditional explanations of stress, PTSD, and resilience and presents a new realist approach based on Rom Harré and Charles R. Varela's theories. It exposes the failures of traditional explanations and advocates for replacing them with new realist ones, supported by empirical evidence from ethnographic data.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book presents a groundbreaking exploration of stress, PTSD, and resilience, challenging the traditional, dominant explanations that have often been reductive and anti-realist. Author Frank Tortorello takes a fresh approach by presenting the United States Marine Corps doctrinal explanation of these phenomena through the lens of new realist theoretical resources derived from Rom Harré and Charles R. Varela. By systematically exposing the scientific and ethical shortcomings of traditional explanations, Tortorello sheds light on the actions of stressed and resilient Marines both on and off the battlefield.

What sets this book apart is its ability to harness the power of new realist explanations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these phenomena. Through the application of these theoretical frameworks to the same ethnographic data, the author convincingly argues for the replacement of traditional explanations with those grounded in new realism.

In the first chapter, Tortorello delves into the historical context of traditional explanations of stress and resilience, highlighting their limitations and shortcomings. He argues that these explanations often fail to account for the complex and multifaceted nature of human experiences, particularly in the context of military service. Traditional theories often rely on reductionist approaches, which view individuals as passive recipients of stress or resilience, neglecting the active role that individuals play in shaping their own experiences.

To address these gaps, Tortorello introduces new realist theoretical resources that provide a more nuanced and empirically grounded understanding of stress, PTSD, and resilience. These resources include the concept of autonoetic consciousness, which emphasizes the self-awareness and agency of individuals in shaping their own experiences. Tortorello also draws on the work of Harré and Varela, who propose a new realist framework for understanding consciousness and the mind-body relationship.

In the second chapter, Tortorello applies these new realist theoretical resources to the doctrinal explanation of stress, PTSD, and resilience offered by the United States Marine Corps. He demonstrates how the Marine Corps doctrine fails to account for the complex and multifaceted nature of these phenomena, often resorting to reductive and mechanistic explanations. By contrast, the new realist framework provides a more comprehensive account of the experiences of stressed and resilient Marines, recognizing their active role in shaping their own lives and the challenges they face.

Through the third chapter, Tortorello explores the ethical implications of traditional explanations of stress, PTSD, and resilience. He argues that these explanations often fail to respect the autonomy and agency of individuals, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and biases. By contrast, the new realist framework emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diversity and complexity of human experiences, promoting empathy and understanding.

In the fourth chapter, Tortorello presents a case study of a Marine who experienced stress and resilience in the context of military service. Through this case study, he demonstrates how the new realist framework provides a more nuanced and empirically grounded understanding of the individual's experiences, highlighting the active role that the individual played in shaping their own resilience.

In conclusion, this book offers a transformative perspective on stress, PTSD, and resilience, challenging the traditional explanations that have often been inadequate and harmful. By introducing new realist theoretical resources and applying them to the doctrinal explanation of these phenomena, Tortorello provides a more comprehensive and empirically grounded understanding of the experiences of stressed and resilient individuals. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in understanding the complexities of human experiences and developing more effective strategies for promoting well-being and resilience.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032066950