Resilience grows quietly within us, often revealed only after we have endured the storm.
Life experiences including loss, illness and other challenges can help people develop resilience and navigate the hardships of life’s unpredictability. Often, people do not see how they will get through these hard times and later discover they have strengthened and developed through their recovery.
After experiencing the difficulties of life, a question arises: What is it that allows some people to recover from adversity while others seem to struggle doing so? One way to assess and understand this question is to look at a trait referred to as resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt to various stressors in life and recover from them. Resilience not only gives us insight into an individual’s emotional and mental health and well-being but also assists individuals in how they cope with stress and adversity.
Research has shown that resilience is influenced by multiple factors in a person’s life including genetics, environment, and learned behaviours. Studies have found that family support, social networks, an individual’s level of optimism and the coping mechanisms each person uses are the primary factors that determine how a person deals with stress.
Researchers have also explored the concept of post-traumatic growth which is often observable after experiencing a significant life stressor. Post-traumatic growth can result in many changes such as increased trust and bonding, improved understanding of oneself, and developing a renewed purpose in life (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).
The evidence supports the notion that resilience exists in a continuum and that the extent of resilience is not fixed; therefore should not be considered as permanent. Resilience is something that can be cultivated by each individual at any point throughout their lifetime. Cognitive-behavioural strategies, mindfulness, and obtaining support from your community all enhance a person’s daily resilience towards the adversity they may experience (Southwick et al., 2014).
Stress will likely occur throughout the lifetime of each person; however, those who develop habits related to resilience tend to recover from their experiences sooner than those who do not and, at times, achieve their performance back to their pre-adversity levels or further.
Dr. Ann Masten stated “Resilience is an ordinary phenomenon (and has extraordinary effects). People who have developed resilient traits are capable of thriving in times of adverse conditions.
Several examples of how an individual may build resilience can be identified through supportive relationships, gratitude, and reflecting on their past experiences.
In addition, your community may assist in enhancing the resilience of individuals through the use of either community or social programmes that focus on community, mental health, and/or mental illness. Thus, by adopting a resilience framework, you can respond positively to your current challenges with courage and strength while discovering new opportunities for growth through those challenges.
References:
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227
Southwick, S. M., Bonanno, G. A., Masten, A. S., Panter-Brick, C., & Yehuda, R. (2014). Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: Interdisciplinary perspectives. European Journal of Psychotraumatology. https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.25338
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
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