Inaugural lecture: Prof. Dr. Silvia Exenberger-Vanham

In her inaugural lecture, Professor Silvia Exenberger-Vanham examines the effects of trauma on people of all ages. The WHO defines trauma as short- or long-lasting events of exceptional threat with catastrophic proportions that would cause profound despair in almost anyone. However, epidemiological studies show that the majority of those affected are resilient and recover from such experiences without developing the clinical picture of post-traumatic stress disorder. What's more, many people report positive psychological changes in the sense of post-traumatic growth after traumatic events.

Against the backdrop of cultural contexts, the lecture focuses on the possible positive consequences of trauma over the course of a lifetime. Selected examples from our own research will be used to show how people from different cultures perceive and cope with stress in different ways. These findings also give rise to a central principle for clinical psychological practice: the holistic assessment of the individual with all their resources, strengths and challenges.

Please register by 11 March 2026 using the online form.