Psychological resilience

This learning resource is for introducing and explaining the concept of psychological resilience and for researchers to discuss investigations of resilience.

Theory
The notion of resilience derives from the physiological stress literature and the coping literature.

Resilience is one's ability to “bounce back” (Smith et al., 2008 ).

The etymology is from the Latin word resile which translates to bounce or spring back (Oxford Dictionary, 2004). This definition views resilience as a process of returning to normal function after a stressful event.

Reslience can be differentiated from “thriving”, which involves decreased reactivity to stressors, quicker recovery from subsequent stressors and/or a higher maintained level of functioning (Carver, 1998; O’Leary & Ickovics, 1995).

Resilience has been related to other positive personal traits such as hardiness, mental toughness and self-efficacy. Hardiness is defined as a combination of commitment, control and challenge, managed by turning a stressful circumstance into an opportunity for growth (Kobasa, 1979; Maddi, 2002). Mental toughness is defined as disciplined thinking and a response to pressure that allows the individual to stay relaxed, calm and energised (Clough, Earle, & Sewell, 2002; Loehr, 1986). Self-efficacy develops via mastering experiences through perseverance and overcoming obstacles with sustained efforts (Carr, 2004). This leads to knowledge of one’s own boundaries and limitations (Bandura, 1997). These characteristics contribute to and are supported by resilience (Bonanno, 2004), however, are not included in the definition of resilience as they cloud its simplicity and clarity (Smith et al., 2008 ).

Measurement
There are a variety of options for measuring the resiliency of an individual, a family, a classroom, a school, community or organisation.

This article reviews 19 resilience instruments (4 of which are refinements of earlier instruments):
 * Windle, G., Bennett, Noyes, J. (2011). A methodological review of resilience measurement scales, Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 9(8). doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-9-8

It suggests that the best psychometric ratings exist for:
 * Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; 5 factors, 25 items; Connor & Davidson, 2003)
 * Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale - Short (CD-RISC; 1 factor, 10 items; Connor & Davidson, 2003)
 * Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA; 6 factors, 33 items; Friborg et al., 2005 )
 * Brief Resilience Scale (BRS; 1 factor, 6 items; Smith et al., 2008 )

Copyrighted, no-cost

 * Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; 5 factors, 25 items; Connor & Davidson, 2003)
 * Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale - Short (CD-RISC; 1 factor, 10 items; Connor & Davidson, 2003)
 * Bharathiar University Resilience Scale (BURS; 30 items; Annalakshmi, 2009)

Proprietary, at-cost measure

 * Resilience Scale (Wagnild & Young, 1993)
 * Resiliency Initiatives - versions for:
 * 8 - 12 years
 * 13 - 18 years
 * 19 years and up

Indicators of resilience

 * 1) Use mind-calming and restorative activities.
 * 2) Continually undertake challenges to experience and learn new things.
 * 3) View future with optimism and hope.
 * 4) Emphasise positive (optimistic) thinking over negative (pessimistic) thinking
 * 5) Persist in pursuit of important goals.
 * 6) Choose actions consistent with deeply held values
 * 7) Experience a sense of purpose in life.

Resilience quiz
True or false?
 * 1) One's level of resilience is fixed - it cannot be changed. (False)
 * 2) Resilient people do not experience stress. (False)
 * 3) Resilient tends to increase with age. (True)
 * 4) Adversity improves resilience. (Neither true or false - it can go either way - adversity can increase or decrease resilience. And, whilst a healthy experience of resilience can be a very effective way to enhance resilience, there are also other ways to improve resilience.)