What is resilience?
In physics, resilience is a material’s ability to spring back after being bent. In psychology, it means the capacity and process of adapting well in the face of serious adversity, or bouncing back after hardship.
- Meaning
- Positive adaptation and recovery amid adversity
- Landmark study
- Kauai Longitudinal Study (Emmy Werner)
- Key view
- Not extraordinary but "ordinary magic" (Ann Masten)
- Building blocks
- Individual, family and community protective factors
The Kauai Longitudinal Study
Not every child who grew up with serious adversity ended up struggling. Psychologist Emmy Werner followed about 700 children born on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in 1955 for nearly 40 years. Among those exposed to multiple risks, such as poverty, parental mental illness or family discord, about one-third grew into competent, caring adolescents and adults.
These children shared something important: at least one adult who believed in them, and a tendency to tackle problems actively. Many who struggled early also recovered by their thirties and forties.
Ordinary magic
Ann Masten (2001) argued that resilience is not a rare gift of exceptional children but "ordinary magic" that emerges when basic human adaptive systems, such as close relationships, healthy brain development, self-regulation and problem solving, are working. Protecting those systems helps many children recover.
Protective factors
| Level | Protective factors | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Self-regulation, problem solving, optimism, 자기효능감 | self efficacy |
| Family | Warm, stable caregiver relationships; consistent routines | |
| School and community | Supportive teachers and mentors, friends, safe neighborhoods, community activities |
Secure attachment formed early in life is a lifelong protective factor; see attachment theory.
Building resilience
- Stay connected. Even one person you can lean on makes a big difference.
- Focus on what you can control. Set small goals and build a record of success.
- Reframe thoughts. Replace "Everything is ruined" with "This is a hard situation right now."
- Take care of your body. Sleep, exercise and nutrition underpin coping.
- Ask for help. Seeking support is itself part of resilience.
Common myths
- "Resilience is innate." It can be built through relationships and environments.
- "Resilient people don’t feel pain." Resilience means recovering despite distress.
- "It’s all up to the individual." Expecting people to bounce back without addressing poverty or violence is unfair.
For people who find deeper meaning after major trauma, see post-traumatic growth.
Frequently asked questions
- What is resilience in psychology?
- The capacity and process of adapting well or recovering after significant adversity, trauma or stress.
- Is resilience something you’re born with?
- Temperament plays a role, but resilience can be strengthened through supportive relationships, safe environments and problem-solving experiences.
- What is the most important factor in resilience?
- Research consistently highlights stable, supportive relationships, especially at least one caring adult who believes in the person.
References
- Werner, E. E. (1993). Risk, resilience, and recovery: Perspectives from the Kauai Longitudinal Study. Development and Psychopathology, 5(4), 503–515.
- Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238.