salutary

This term describes a positive outcome that arises from a corrective or harsh process. It is frequently used in formal, academic, or political contexts to justify a difficult decision or a painful experience by highlighting the long-term benefit it provides. It suggests a curative process, similar to a bitter medicine that heals the patient.

While "beneficial" is a general term for anything helpful, "salutary" specifically implies a sense of improvement through discipline, shock, or adversity. It is rarely used to describe simple pleasures or effortless gains, focusing instead on the restorative power of a challenging event.