Chapter 1<BR> Resilience in Adulthood and Later Life: What Does it Mean and Where Are We Heading?

Abstract

These chapters refl ect the fact that resilience is best understood as not only multidimensional in nature, but also in a complementary fashion, that resilience as a meaningful construct is also domain specifi c. In these respects, Smith and Hayslip discuss the construct of resilience: its evolution and development, the historical context in which an emphasis on resilience has surfaced, and issues related to the defi nition and measurement of resilience in the context of protective factors, risk, and adversity. Fagundes, Gillie, Derry, Bennett, and Kiecolt-Glaser examine the biophysiological dimensions of resilience, addressing the relationship between immunological functioning and resilience in a causal framework. Lavresky explores the literature on resilience to stress and aging and how this is related to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, wherein psychological and biological factors contributing to resilience that are universal across all ages, as well as those that are unique to later life are reviewed, and suggestions for intervention are offered. Ryff, Friedman, Morozink, and Tsenkova discuss key personality attributes associated with resilience and health, placing special emphasis on resilience in the context of emotional expression and emotional regulation, wherein multiple dimensions of well-being are central to understanding resilience. Stine-Morrow and Chui explore resilience in the context of the necessity to maintain cognitive functioning into later life, emphasizing the development of new skills and/or cope with declines in one' s skills as a special case resilience. Aldwin and Igarashi treat resilience as a key factor in enabling adults and older persons to minimize poor person-environment fi t as well as seeing resilience as a key construct that enabling one to identify a development niche that is positive, wherein in this light, diabetes is discussed as a health diffi culty that can be understood and treated at multiple level. Ramsey discusses the role of resilience in contributing to spirituality as a resource as well as a coping mechanism to help defi ne successful aging, examining the cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal antecedents of resilience in later life. ABSTRACTThis chapter presents an overview of resilience in later life as it relates to both intraindividual plasticity over time and to interindividual differences in developmental outcomes. It discusses the historical antecedents of the current expanding interest in this construct, challenges in its defi nition and measurement, the importance of understanding and designing intervention to impact resilience at multiple levels. It is argued that resilience needs to be understood in light of the interaction of personal and environmental factors, and that key aspects of resilience (protective factors, risk/adversity, outcomes) are diffi cult to defi ne clearly, contributing to ambiguities in the defi nition of resilience in adulthood and later life. Developmental and sociocultural aspects of resilience are discussed, and the...

Creating a Vision for the Future: Key Competencies and Strategies for Culturally Competent Practice With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults in the Health and Human Services

“…Several studies have found that LGBT older adults are strengthened through “crisis competence,” applying lessons learned from being a sexual minority to the aging process (Friend, 1991, p. 110). The biopsychosocial model for late life resilience (Smith & Hayslip, 2012) suggests that older adults can engage individual, interpersonal, and environmental resources to combat elements of risk and adversity. Professionals in the field need the knowledge, skills, and values to identify intrapersonal and interpersonal resources with older LGBT consumers, and to assist them in addressing their needs, those of their families, and other support systems.…”

Development of a new multidimensional individual and interpersonal resilience measure for older adults

“…Older adults frequently experience concentrated non-normative and age-related changes such as declines in health and functioning, decreased mobility, diagnosis of chronic or terminal illness, death of spouse and/or friend, loss of social status, decreased financial security, retirement, changes in residence, and social ageism (Aldwin & Igarashi, 2012; Smith & Hayslip, 2012). These adversities range from daily challenges to catastrophic experiences that directly impact one’s ability to age successfully and impact the entire family system.…”

The Utility of the Family Empowerment Scale With Custodial Grandmothers

“…Indeed, a strengths perspective reflects the identification of the family's strengths, that is, survival skills, and knowledge, resources, and skills that will enhance family functioning (Early, 2001). Although empowerment and such constructs as self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977), resilience (Rutter, 2007), or resourcefulness (e.g., Zauszniewski & Musil, 2013) are not interchangeable, these ideas may be precursors or outcomes associated with empowerment, consistent with a view that various characteristics or processes are protective regarding susceptibility to negative outcomes in individuals (Smith & Hayslip, 2012). This article explores the measurement of empowerment in a sample of grandparent caregivers, for whom being empowered is most important to their mental and physical health as well as to their ability not only to parent a grandchild but also to access needed services crucial to their own well-being as well as that of the grandchildren they are raising.…”