Emotional Response to the Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka: From Fight or Flight to Action

Abstract

The financial crisis in Sri Lanka is escalating day by day with grave consequences on public life. Suffering at community, family, and individual levels is immense. Comprehensive macroeconomic and microeconomic solutions are needed to solve the financial crisis. Further, drastic improvements are needed in the areas of governance, transparency, and accountability at all levels in order to put the country back on track. The hard truth is that suffering will be a characteristic feature of the lives of the people of Sri Lanka in the future. This paper examines three possible pathways that the emotional response to the financial crisis could take at the community, family, and individual levels. It argues that the natural fight or flight emotional pathways could lead to withdrawal or violence, and further aggravate suffering. An action-oriented solution-focused emotional pathway could not only minimize suffering, but also could promote well-being at the community, family, and individual levels. Keywords: Economic Crisis, Emotional Response, Compassion