People face all kinds of adversity in life. There are personal crises, such as illness, loss of a loved one, abuse, bullying, job loss, and financial instability. There is the common reality of tragic events in the news, such as terrorist attacks, mass shootings, natural disasters, a global pandemic, and war. People must learn to face and overcome very difficult life experiences.
Resilience theory tells us that resilience is not a fixed characteristic (you can increase your ability to practice resilience). And it’s not constant, in the sense that you may be very resilient to one challenge that you’re facing, but have a harder time being resilient to another stressor that you’re facing.
Sood says resilience involves these five principles:
- Gratitude
- Compassion
- Acceptance
- Meaning
- Forgiveness
The main factors that build resilience
Developing resilience is both complex and personal. It involves a combination of inner strengths and outer resources, and there is no universal formula for becoming more resilient.
According to the APA, some of the key factors that contribute to personal resilience include:
- The way you see and interact with the world
- The availability and quality of social resources
- Specific coping strategies
Various factors contribute to building resilience, and there is no simple list of things to do to overcome adversity.
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According to resilience theory, other factors that help build resilience include:
- Welfare Research shows that your social support systems, which may include immediate or extended family, community, friends and organizations, promote your resilience in times of crisis or trauma.
- Self-esteem Positive self-esteem and confidence in your strengths can prevent feelings of helplessness in the face of adversity. A study in Borders in Psychiatry found that self-esteem and resilience were closely related.
- Coping skills Coping and problem-solving skills help empower a person who must face adversity and overcome difficulties. Research has shown that using positive coping skills (like optimism and sharing) can help build resilience more than non-productive coping skills.
- communication skills Being able to communicate clearly and effectively helps people seek support, mobilize resources and take action. Research has shown that people who are able to interact with others, demonstrate empathy, and inspire trust in others tend to be more resilient.
- Emotional regulation The ability to manage potentially overwhelming emotions (or ask for help to overcome them) helps people stay focused when overcoming a challenge, and this trait has been linked to better resilience, a study has shown.
What does the research say about the importance of resilience?
Resilience is what gives people the emotional strength to cope with trauma, adversity, and difficulty. Resilient people use their resources, strengths, and skills to overcome challenges and overcome failures.
People who lack resilience are more likely to feel overwhelmed or helpless and resort to unhealthy coping strategies (such as avoidance, isolation, and self-medication).
Resilient people experience stress, setbacks, and difficult emotions, but they leverage their strengths and seek help from support systems to overcome challenges and resolve problems. Resilience allows them to accept and adapt to a situation and move forward, Sood says. “(It’s) the core strength you use to lift the weight of life.”
What are the 7 Cs of resilience?
Ken Ginsburg, MDpediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and co-founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, developed the 7 Cs Resilience Model to help children and adolescents learn the skills needed to be happier and more resilient.
The 7 Cs model is centered on two key points:
- Young people respond to the expectations placed on them and they need adults who love them unconditionally and set high expectations for them.
- How we model youth resilience is much more important than what we say.
- Skill It is the ability to know how to manage situations effectively. To develop their skills, individuals develop a set of skills that help them trust their judgment and make responsible choices.
- Trust Ginsburg says true self-confidence is rooted in competence. Individuals gain confidence by demonstrating their skills in real-world situations.
- Connection Close connections with family, friends and community provide a sense of security and belonging.
- Character Individuals need a fundamental sense of right and wrong to make responsible choices, contribute to society, and gain self-esteem.
- Contribution Ginsburg says having a goal to achieve is a powerful motivator. Contributing to your community strengthens positive reciprocal relationships.
- To face When people learn to manage stress effectively, they are better prepared to face adversity and setbacks.
- Control Developing an understanding of internal control helps individuals act as problem solvers rather than victims of circumstances. When individuals learn that they can control the outcomes of their decisions, they are more likely to view themselves as capable and confident.
The 7 Cs of resilience illustrate the interaction between personal strengths and external resources, regardless of age.
