Successful adaptation in the context of significant adversity, specified by outcome domain, developmental context and time. It is not simply the absence of disorder in an unexposed person, a universally favorable personality profile or proof of invulnerability. Capacities and resources proposed to explain adaptation should be measured separately from the outcome they are meant to explain.[ref]
The Construct of Resilience by Suniya S. Luthar and others. 2000, definition and multidimensionality
A proposed protective effect of manageable prior challenges on later responses. A curved association between lifetime adversity and current functioning is not sufficient to establish that effect causally or identify a safe beneficial exposure for an individual. Human observational and animal experimental evidence answer different questions.[ref]
Whatever Does Not Kill Us by Mark D. Seery and others. 2010, nonmonotonic longitudinal associations
A resource associated with more favorable functioning across the exposure levels under study. This describes a general favorable association, distinguished here from an exposure-dependent stress-buffering interaction. Terminology varies across the literature, so a study should specify its statistical and causal meaning.
Measurement relating documented adversity to subsequent adaptation. A design specifies exposure, outcome, baseline functioning and follow-up; capacity questionnaires, trajectories and exposure-conditioned regression residual scores operationalize different questions.
An exposure-conditioned adaptation measure. With distress , exposure and predicted distress , the displayed convention makes higher scores mean less distress than predicted. The result depends on exposure measurement, reference population and model. A regression residual can include measurement error and omitted causes rather than a distinct protective capacity.
For ordinary least squares , the normal equation gives . Thus is also orthogonal to the fitted predictors; with an intercept its sample mean is zero. A zero in-sample linear association between exposure and this score can therefore be an algebraic consequence of its construction, not evidence that exposure has no effect. Independent validation is needed before assigning substantive meaning to the regression residual.
A self-report measure of coping-related qualities developed by Kathryn M. Connor and Jonathan R. T. Davidson. The original version has 25 items scored from zero to four. Measurement reliability and treatment-associated change concern the measured self-reports; they do not substitute for prospective evidence of adaptation to a documented adversity.[ref]
Development of a new resilience scale by Kathryn M. Connor and Jonathan R. T. Davidson. 2003, original scale and validation
A pattern of functioning across time around adversity. Stable adaptation and recovery after adversity can produce similar scores at a late follow-up while reflecting different histories. Estimated trajectory classes depend on measurement and statistical assumptions; they should not automatically be treated as discrete natural types.
Increasing difficulty that becomes evident later rather than immediately after an event. Sparse follow-up or selective attrition can hide such patterns or make their apparent onset misleading.
A return toward earlier or adequate functioning after disruption. Recovery after adversity differs from maintaining low disturbance throughout, and its evaluation depends on the baseline and observation window.
Articles by others on the same topic
Psychological resilience refers to the ability of an individual to adapt to stress, adversity, trauma, or significant sources of stress without experiencing long-term negative effects on their mental health. It involves the capacity to navigate challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain emotional stability and psychological well-being in the face of difficulties. Key characteristics of psychological resilience include: 1. **Emotional Regulation**: The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a healthy way, allowing individuals to cope effectively with stress.