Resilience: Concepts, findings, and clinical implications

Resilience patterns apply to people who have experienced significant adversities with outcomes that are better than usually found in others who have experienced similar adversities. This may involve either functioning at the time of the adverse experience or relative recovery years later. Resilience differs from the concepts of either positive psychology or social competence. Resilience patterns are most appropriately studied by direct investigation of the features associated with better than usual outcomes, rather than by relying on discovery of nonlinear effects. The key elements associated with resilience patterns include: the benefits of coping successfully with challenges (rather than avoiding them); the importance of experiences (such as adoption) that carry no benefit in those without adversity; and the value of mental features such as self-reflection, planning and self-efficacy. The clinical implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.