People face all kinds of adversity in life. There are personal crises such as illness, loss of a loved one, abuse, bullying, unemployment, and financial instability. The news shares tragic events such as terrorist attacks, mass shootings, natural disasters, global pandemics, and wars. People have to learn to cope with and overcome extremely difficult life experiences.
According to resilience theory, resilience is not a fixed quality (although the ability to practice resilience can be developed). And that’s not always the case, he may show great resilience when it comes to one challenge he faces, but when it comes to another stressor he faces, he has even more trouble staying resilient. There is likely to be.
Sood says resilience involves five principles:
- thanks
- consideration
- Consent
- meaning
- forgiveness
Key factors that build resilience
Building resilience is both complex and personal. It requires a combination of internal strength and external resources, but there is no universal formula for becoming more resilient.
According to the APA, the main factors that contribute to personal resilience include:
- How to view and interact with the world
- Availability and quality of social resources
- specific coping strategies
Many factors contribute to building resilience, and there is no simple to-do list for overcoming adversity.
Related: 20 tips to build and cultivate resilience
According to resilience theory, other factors that help build resilience include:
- social support Research shows that supportive social systems, such as extended family, communities, friends, and organizations, promote resilience during crises and trauma.
- self-esteem A positive sense of self and confidence in your strengths can prevent you from feeling helpless in the face of adversity.research in frontier Psychiatry It turns out that self-esteem and resilience are closely related.
- coping skills Coping skills and problem-solving skills help empower those who have to overcome adversity and overcome difficulties. Research shows that using positive coping skills (such as optimism and sharing) can promote resilience more than counterproductive coping skills.
- communication skills Being able to communicate clearly and effectively helps people seek support, mobilize resources, and take action. Research shows that people who are able to interact with others, show empathy, and inspire confidence and trust tend to be more resilient.
- emotional control The ability to manage potentially overwhelming emotions (or seek help to overcome them) helps people maintain focus as they overcome challenges, and this trait has been linked to increased resilience. Research has shown that they are related.
What does research show about why resilience is important?
Resilience is what gives people the mental strength to cope with trauma, adversity, and hardship. Resilient people leverage their resources, strengths, and skills to overcome challenges and overcome setbacks.
People who lack resilience are more likely to feel overwhelmed, helpless, and rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms (such as avoidance, isolation, and self-medication).
Resilient people experience stress, setbacks, and difficult emotions, but use their strengths and enlist the help of their support system to overcome challenges and solve problems. Resilience allows you to accept the situation, adapt and move forward, says Sood. “[It’s] The core strength you use to lift the burdens of life. ”
What are the 7 Cs of Resilience?
Dr. Ken Ginsberg, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and co-founder of the Center for Parent-Young Communication, believes in helping children and teens develop skills to be happier and more resilient. We developed the 7 C’s model of resilience to help you build on your resilience. .
The 7 C model centers on two important points.
- Young people live up to the expectations set for them. They need adults who love them unconditionally and have high expectations for them.
- How we model resilience in young people is far more important than what we say about it.
- ability This is the ability to know how to deal with situations effectively. To increase competence, individuals develop a set of skills that help them trust their own judgment and make responsible choices.
- confidence Ginsburg says true confidence is rooted in ability. Individuals gain confidence by demonstrating their abilities in real-life situations.
- connection Close connections with family, friends, and community provide a sense of security and belonging.
- character A fundamental sense of right and wrong is necessary for individuals to make responsible choices, contribute to society, and experience self-worth.
- contribution Ginsburg says having a sense of purpose is a powerful motivator. Contributing to the community strengthens positive interactions.
- handle When people learn how to deal with stress effectively, they are better equipped to deal with adversity and setbacks.
- Control A better understanding of internal control enables individuals to act as problem solvers rather than victims of circumstances. When people learn that they can control the outcome of their decisions, they tend to think of themselves as competent and confident.
The 7 Cs of Resilience describe the interaction between personal strengths and external resources, regardless of age.
