Fight, Flight, Freeze . . . Or Laugh? Character Strength Factors Supporting Post Traumatic Growth for Social Entrepreneurs After a Traumatic Event

Background: During 2020, the world was challenged by a global pandemic. In Lebanon,the addition of an economic collapse and a major explosion in the capital city broughtacute stressors, triggering migration ideation. This research analyzes motivation formigration and social entrepreneurial ideation as well overall wellbeing for social en-trepreneurs.Purpose: In this study, we aim to extrapolate the factors that support social en-trepreneurs wellbeing and motivation by analyzing the relationship between resilience,posttraumatic growth (PTG), and character strengths within a training program inBeirut.Methodology: After gathering a broad set of data (pre-post assessments of CharacterStrengths, Post Traumatic Growth Inventory, Rumination, Entrepreneurial Intent, Re-silience, Impact of Event – Revised) we conducted a qualitative analysis to assess and tagresponses. Correlations were identified with factors that support post traumatic growth,resilience and social entrepreneurial ideation.Findings/Conclusions: While each person’s life journey is unique, we have identifiedthat social entrepreneurship ideation is promoted by prior traumatic experiences, followedby opportunities and support for growth. Traumatic experiences are inescapable in life,and the opportunity educators and trainers have is to understand how to shift the traumaresponse curve towards growth. Deliberate Rumination, thinking and reflecting aboutone’s life circumstances can be incorporated into group facilitations. Character Strengthsare correlated with PTG and there are validated methods for reliably developing strengthsof character. One highly leverable strength is humor, and one way humor can supportgrowth is by preventing helplessness.Implications: The results of this study increases an understanding of the complex deci-sion making individuals face in a crisis, and offers insights into the factors which supportposttraumatic growth and contributing to society through social entrepreneurship. Wehope the results of this paper inspire facilitators to incorporate humor, positive structuredconversation and to enliven their program with character development.