Resilience: Enhancing well-being through the positive cognitive triad.

Abstract

The present study tested whether the relationships among resilience, life satisfaction, and depression could be explained by positive views toward the self, the world, and the future (positive cognitive triad). Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were conducted based on 1,419 college students in Hong Kong. The model of positive cognitive triad as mediator between resilience and well-being fit the data (comparative fit index = .94, Tucker-Lewis index = .93, root-mean-square error of approximation = .08). Findings showed resilience to be significantly related to positive cognitions about the self, the world, and the future. Individuals who had higher level of resilience held significantly more positive cognitions and reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of depression. The utility of the positive cognitive triad as the mechanism through which resilience enhances well-being was supported. Applications in cultivating resilience and positive cognitions in counseling services are discussed.

The Role of Resilience and Gender in the Relationship between Adults Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Psychological Symptoms

“…Meanwhile, Mak, Ng and Wong (2011) reported that individuals with psychological stability have positive cognitions related to oneself, the world, and the future; this situation contributes to the development of one's thoughts of a positive future, thus preventing depression. However, childhood negative experiences have a negative effect on individual's thoughts and belief systems; there is also a relationship between physical, emotional, and sexual abuse experiences and an individual's negative beliefs about himself/herself, other people and the world, and such a condition leads to mental symptoms (Kaysen, Samuel, Mastnak, and Resick, 2005).…”

Cognitive schemas as longitudinal predictors of self-reported adolescent depressive symptoms and resilience

“…Researchers have begun to integrate resilience constructs into cognitive developmental theories of risk for depression (Hjemdal, Aune, Reinfjell, Stiles, & Friborg, 2007;Hjemdal, Vogel, Solem, Hagen, & Stiles, 2011;Keyfitz et al, 2012;Mak, Ng, & Wong, 2011) to better understand and prevent psychopathology (Masten, 2001;2011). In studies of nearly 400 younger adolescents (aged 13 to 15; Hjemdal et al, 2007), and 300 older adolescents (aged 14 to 18; Hjemdal et al, 2011), higher levels of resilience were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms.…”

“…In studies of nearly 400 younger adolescents (aged 13 to 15; Hjemdal et al, 2007), and 300 older adolescents (aged 14 to 18; Hjemdal et al, 2011), higher levels of resilience were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Interestingly, in a sample of 1400 university students, positive cognitions mediated the relationship between resilience and depression such that students with higher levels of resilience had more positive cognitions and lower levels of depressive symptoms (Mak et al, 2011). …”

Resiliency and subjective health assessment. Moderating role of selected psychosocial variables

“…It facilitates recovery among the somatically ill (Steward & Yuen, 2011) and it is connected with improved health, both physical and mental (Block & Kremen, 1996;Hall et al, 2010;Mak et al, 2011;Perfect & Jaramillo, 2012;Sołtys, 2013).…”

“…It is a disposition towards being able to interpret oneself, one's social surroundings and future in a way that ensures individual adequate functioning in various areas of life including work, interpersonal relations as well as physical and mental health (Charney, 2004;Klohnen, 1996;Mak, Ng, & Wong, 2011;Wells, 2009). …”