Proactive Immunity Model™

By Amy Morgan, MSC, CMHA, CFRC(D), CPSL-T(D), CWPS, CTCI

 

I. Abstract

The Proactive Immunity Model™ is a comprehensive, lifespan framework designed to strengthen whole-person wellness and protective factors long before crisis occurs. Whereas most prevention models focus on mitigating risk once distress is evident and preventing harmful behaviors during distress, this model reframes prevention as intentional immunity-building, to avoid reaching the point of distress. It integrates three interconnected components: Pathways (how you choose your path forward), Domains (what keeps you in a positive state of wellness), and Trajectory (how your experiences and contextual factors influence your direction over time). Drawing upon lifespan theory, protective-factor research, decision-science, and holistic wellness models, the Proactive Immunity Model™ offers individuals a structured, visually intuitive, and practical system to proactively design aligned lives, make intentional decisions, sustain wellness across multiple domains, and understand how their past and context shape future direction. Implications for training, assessment, and evaluation are discussed.

1. Introduction: Why Prevention Must Become Proactive

The prevailing paradigm in mental health and resilience is one of reaction—intervening after the downward spiral has begun. This reactive stance often results in emphasis on “bouncing back” from crisis, rather than preventing the fall altogether (SAMHSA, 2009). For professionals and populations under high stress the delay until crisis can lead to and career- or life-threatening consequences, burnout, and functional disruption.

In contrast, the concept of immunity—frequently discussed in physical health—refers not to recovery after illness, but to protection before illness. Extending this metaphor to mental health, we propose the notion of wellness immunity: an individual’s capacity to absorb stressors, maintain alignment with values, and thus remain above the neutral baseline of wellness (described herein as the “line”). This shift from recovery to prevention requires a framework that addresses how individuals make decisions, what sustains their wellness, and how their life narratives shape their future direction.

Moreover, the model must account for contextual influences—including neurobiological conditions, cultural identity, socio-economic environment, and legacy trauma—that are neither chosen nor easily changed, yet shape starting positions and trajectories. The Proactive Immunity Model™ acknowledges those non-chosen variables while emphasizing the potential individuals still possess to influence their wellness and direction.

The aim of this whitepaper is to present a clinically grounded, evidence-based, yet accessible framework that can be applied in individual and organizational contexts. By integrating decision-science, holistic wellness, and life-trajectory perspectives, the model offers a coherent structure for proactively designing and sustaining health-strong lives. 

III. Conceptual Foundation & Supporting Research

1. Life Course Theory

Life course theory posits that individuals’ health and well-being trajectories are shaped by the accumulation of experiences, timing of life events, and historical/social context (Elder, 1998; Hayward & Gorman, 2004). Early-life conditions, major transitions, and societal timing influence long-term outcomes (Hayward & Gorman, 2004). The Proactive Immunity Model™ draws directly from this perspective, using the Trajectory layer to map how past experiences and contextual conditions influence future direction.

2. Protective Factors and Positive Psychology

Research on protective factors shows that factors such as purpose in life, social connectedness, and meaning significantly reduce suicidal ideation and attempt (Calati & Courtet, 2016; Heisel & Flett, 2008). For example, a systematic review among older adults found strong associations between intrapersonal protective factors (e.g., purpose-in-life, well-being) and reduced suicidality (Bernier et al., 2023). The Society of Clinical Psychology Division 12 identifies protective factors including social support, problem-solving skills, and accessible mental-health care (Division 12 Section VII, 2019). These protective factors align strongly with the Domains layer of this model.

3. Neuroscience of Stress and Recovery

Chronic stress, trauma, and neurobiological vulnerability (e.g., mood disorders, PTSD) significantly influence mental-health trajectories (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine [NASEM], 2002). The diathesis-stress model conceptualizes how predispositional vulnerabilities interact with environmental stressors to produce disorders (Ingram & Luxton, 2005). The Trajectory layer incorporates those predispositional and contextual factors—not as deterministic but as variables influencing direction.

4. Holistic Wellness and Domain Models

Whole-person wellness frameworks emphasize multiple interconnected domains (physical, emotional, social, spiritual, etc.). Effective frameworks for those in high stress careers and group/peer support require multidimensional approaches (SAMHSA, 2024). The Domains layer of the model integrates 12 key health areas (Physical, Financial, Environmental, Social, Mental, Occupational, Emotional, Spiritual, Relational, Intentional, Intellectual and Connective) and five core strengths (Purpose, Connection, Growth, Healing, Positivity) to operationalize wellness maintenance.

5. Decision Theory & Values-Based Living

Intentional decision-making and values-driven actions have been shown to improve alignment, meaning, and long-term outcomes (Hayes et al., 2016). The concept of “choice architecture” in behavioral science supports the idea that structuring decisions through aligned criteria enhances positive trajectories. In the Proactive Immunity Model™, the Pathways layer operationalizes this by offering a decision-alignment checklist.

6. Overview of the Proactive Immunity Model™

The Proactive Immunity Model™ is defined by three integrated layers:

• Pathways — How you choose your path forward
• Domains — What keeps you in a positive state of wellness
• Trajectory — How your experiences and contextual factors influence your direction over time

The model is built to function across populations—including those in high-stress careers, organizational wellness programs, and individuals pursuing meaning-driven lives—by recognizing that wellness is not merely the absence of illness, but the presence of proactive alignment, sustained domains of health, and upward-moving direction over time. 

Component 1: Pathways — How You Choose Your Path Forward

Rationale

Every meaningful decision acts as a directional force in a person’s life. Decision science shows that choices are not isolated events but trajectory-shaping mechanisms influencing behavior, emotion, and future opportunities (Kahneman, 2011). For individuals with histories of trauma or chronic stress, decision-making processes may be compromised by hypervigilance, avoidance, negative bias, or altered reward systems (NASEM, 2002).

The Pathways component provides a practical method for navigating meaningful decisions with intention, alignment, and self-management, helping individuals set upward trajectories. 

2. The Strength Alignment Checklist

To operationalize intentionality, the Proactive Immunity Model™ introduces a structured decision process known as the Strength Alignment Checklist, which evaluates any option through the following lenses:

A. Values & Priorities: Does this decision align with my top life values and priorities?
(Values-aligned action increases psychological well-being; Hayes et al., 2016.)

B. Purpose & Long-Term Meaning: Does it support or strengthen my sense of purpose?
(Purpose correlates with reduced depression and suicidality; Heisel & Flett, 2008.)

C. Connection: Will it maintain or improve meaningful connection with others?
(Social support is one of the strongest protective factors against suicide; Calati & Courtet, 2016.)

D. Core Needs (Maslow’s Hierarchy): Does it meet my core psychological or safety needs?
(Unmet needs reduce emotional stability; Maslow, 1943.)

E. Growth: Does this decision create an opportunity for growth or self-development?
(Growth fosters self-efficacy; Bandura, 1997.)

F. Healing: Does it support healing from past events or reduce reactivity?
(Healing processes influence emotional regulation; van der Kolk, 2014.)

G. Positivity: Does it create or maintain positive emotional experiences?
(Positive affect broadens thought-action repertoires; Fredrickson, 2004.)

H. Domains: Does it strengthen at least one wellness domain?
(Holistic wellness models show domain-interaction effects; SAMHSA, 2024.)

When a choice aligns with several checklist elements, it is considered an Aligned Pathway, producing an upward directional movement on the Trajectory.

3. Proactive Decision Flow

The Proactive Decision Flow seamlessly integrates into Pathways:

Decision Point → Apply Checklist → Identify Aligned Options → Choose Upward Path

This creates a repeatable, proactive process for making direction-setting decisions.

Case Example

Consider an individual, whose top values and priorities are time with family and travel/adventure, as they are choosing between two job opportunities:

• Job A: higher pay, long hours (less family time), and increased stress
• Job B: slightly lower pay but aligns with family time values and allows flexibility for travel

Using the Pathways process, Job B is the better fit with the Aligned Pathway, predicting a higher long-term trajectory. 

Component 2: Domains — What Keeps You in a Positive State of Wellness

A. Purpose of the Domains

Domains represent the whole-person wellness infrastructure—the conditions that maintain stability, elevation, and positive functioning.

Wellness models emphasize that protective factors accumulate across varied aspects of life (WHO, 2014; SAMHSA, 2024). Deficits in multiple domains increase vulnerability to downward movement.

B. The 12 Domains of Health

Each Domain contributes uniquely to sustained wellness:

1. Physical Health — sleep, fitness, nutrition
2. Emotional Regulation — ability to manage emotion effectively
3. Mental Health — psychological stability, cognitive clarity
4. Relational Health — quality of close relationships
5. Social Health — belonging, support networks
6. Intentional Living — habit patterns, alignment with values
7. Intellectual Stimulation — learning, curiosity, engagement
8. Occupational Satisfaction — work meaning, fit, stress balance
9. Environmental Stability — safety, organization, predictability
10. Financial Wellness — stability, planning, reduced stress
11. Spiritual Grounding — meaning, faith, existential resources
12. Connective Belonging — identity and community-level support

These Domains interact dynamically: strengthening one tends to elevate others. 

C. The Immunity 5: Core Internal Strengths

1. Purpose
2. Connection
3. Growth
4. Healing
5. Positivity

Research supports each as a significant protective factor against depression, anxiety, and suicidality (Fredrickson, 2004; Calati & Courtet, 2016; van der Kolk, 2014). 

D. Structural Considerations

Domains function as buffers: the stronger the Domain structure, the less impact negative experiences have on Trajectory.

1. Domains Self-Assessment 

A 0–10 rating scale identifies areas above/below the line, giving individuals a starting point for a personalized Proactive Immunity Plan.  

Component 3: Trajectory — How Your Experiences and Context Influence Direction

A. Meaning of Trajectory

Trajectory integrates:

• starting elevation
• past experiences
• current context
• existing conditions
• support availability
• cultural factors
• wellness domains
• decision pathways

Traditional linear models assume equal impact across individuals; trajectory explains why experiences do not produce equal outcomes.

B. Above-the-Line / Below-the-Line Concept

A neutral “line” represents the baseline of functioning.

• Above the line: positive state of wellness
• Below the line: distress, depletion, risk elevation

The goal is minimizing drops and preemptively restoring elevation. 

C. Integrating TSET

The Trauma & Significant Events Timeline (TSET) becomes the visual tool for plotting:

• positive events
• negative events
• healing experiences
• identity shifts
• cultural/environmental stressors
• support availability

Trajectory = overall directional movement.

1. Non-Linear Impact Model

A +6 followed by a –6 does not equal zero.

Example:

• An individual at +8 who experiences a +7, then –6, may remain above the line.
• An individual at +2 who experiences the same +7 and –6 may fall below it.

This reflects lifespan research on cumulative advantage/disadvantage (Elder, 1998).

These are unchosen variables that shape trajectory:

• Race and cultural identity
• Gender and LGBTQ+ identity
• Age and developmental stage
• Neurobiological conditions
• Mental health disorders
• Family-of-origin trauma
• Socioeconomic status
• Access to healthcare
• Community safety
• Discrimination and system-level barriers

The model acknowledges these as real influences that shape sensitivity and elevation, without implying personal responsibility or failure.

VIII. Integration: How the Three Components Work Together 

Pathways → Domains
Aligned choices strengthen wellness.

Domains → Trajectory
Strong Domains protect against downward movement.

Trajectory → Pathways
Elevation influences accessibility of options and decision-making clarity.

This creates an upward feedback loop supporting long-term wellness.

Applications

1. Individuals

• Life planning
• Daily decision-making
• Understanding patterns
• Increasing stability

2. High-Stress Careers & Helping Professions
Supports proactive resilience vs. crisis response (NASEM, 2002).

3. Peer Support
Provides structure, direction, and clarity.

4. Clinical Settings
Useful for assessment, treatment planning, and progress tracking.

5. Organizations
Integrates seamlessly into wellness programs.

Implementation Tools

• Strength Alignment Checklist
• Domains Wheel Assessment
• Trajectory/TSET Map
• Proactive Immunity Plan Template

 Advantages

• Proactive, not reactive
• Holistic
• Culturally aware
• Clinically grounded
• Flexible & scalable
• Prevention-focused
• Visual & intuitive

 

Conclusion

The Proactive Immunity Model™ reframes resilience not as bouncing back from crisis, but as intentionally sustaining wellness, strengthening decision pathways, and understanding how life experiences shape direction. It is clinically grounded, preventative, and applicable across diverse populations and contexts.

 

References

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