Conceptualizing and Re-Evaluating Resilience Across Levels of Risk, Time, and Domains of Competence

Abstract

This article examines potential theoretical constraints on resilience across levels of risk, time, and domain of outcome. Studies of resilience are reviewed as they relate to the prevalence of resilience across levels of risk (e.g., single life events vs. cumulative risk), time, and domains of adjustment. Based on a thorough review of pertinent literature, we conclude that resilience, as a global construct, appears to be rare at the highest levels of risk, and that resilience may benefit from a narrower conceptualization focusing on specific outcomes at specific timepoints in development. The implication of this conclusion for future research and intervention efforts is then discussed.

Best friends and better coping: Facilitating psychological resilience through boys’ and girls’ closest friendships

“…However, our aim was to explore resilience processes related to participants' most valued friendship. Including participants of varying resilience is appropriate when conceptualising resilience as a process instead of an extraordinary outcome available to a select few (Vanderbilt-Adriance & Shaw, 2008). Future research may consider whether poor-and high-quality friendships operate through distinct processes.…”

“…Future research may consider whether poor-and high-quality friendships operate through distinct processes. Furthermore, longitudinal research should examine the likely iterative processes of facilitating resilience and recruiting, developing or maintaining supportive friendships taking into account the potentially different timeframes required to exhibit growth via the proposed mechanisms along resilience trajectories which may be curvilinear, domain-specific or variable (Hart, Blincow, & Thomas, 2007;Masten & Cicchetti, 2010;Vanderbilt-Adriance & Shaw, 2008).…”

The Effect of Retrospectively Perceived Parental Bonding on Resilience in Adulthood

“…In addition to specific parenting practices, having a good relationship with a parent is mentioned as a family protective factor for positive child adjustment across social, emotional, and academic domains (Vanderbilt & Shaw, 2008). Research supports the separation of warmth and control dimensions of parent-child relations (Suchman, Rounsaville, DeCoste, & Luthar, 2007).…”

“…Though there are many studies on parenting and resilience, most of them (Masten et al, 1999;Vanderbilt & Shaw, 2008) are focused on children and adolescents with a lack of studies among adults, especially older adults. There is evidence that other risk and protective factors intervene and affect the resilience of the individual in their life span (Masten, 2001).…”

Autoestima y apoyo social como predictores de la resiliencia en un grupo de adolescentes en vulnerabilidad social

“…A pesar del largo desarrollo de la investigación asociada a este fenómeno, aún hay dificultades y controversias en su definición (Becoña, 2006) y sobre todo en su operacionalización, ya que distintos investigadores han usado estrategias diferentes para acercarse al constructo (Windle, Bennett y Noyes, 2011). Estas diferencias de aproximación al constructo de la resiliencia van desde el concepto mismo, hasta los componentes bási-cos que se han definido al interior de él: resultados positivos y presencia de adversidad o riesgo (Becoña, 2006;Fergus y Zimmerman, 2005;Vanderbilt-Adriance y Shaw, 2008).…”