Resilience Research Paper

1.2.3 Resilience:

Defining Resilience:

Human beings face a great deal of difficulty and trauma in their lives. Resilience is the strength to overcome such difficulties and retain a normal level of functioning. In fact, research has shown that many people can retain and raise the level of their wellbeing while dealing with life challenges. (Ryff & Singer, 2003a) It is such a common yet a fascinating quality that Masten (2001) regards it as “ordinary magic.” According to Baumgardner & Crothers (2009), resilience is the “amazing ability to bounce back and even thrive in the face of serious life challenges.”

Resilience is also a component of Psychological Capital or PsyCap, a concept put forth by Luthans and colleagues (Luthans, Luthans, & Luthans,

While the negative effects include shock, confusion, anxiety, fear and depression, positive effects may be lessons of coping and adjustment, re-prioritisation of life goals, more compassion for others, and a greater appreciation of life and feelings of personal strength. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009) Such positive outcomes of trauma are referred to as Post-traumatic Growth (PTG). (Tedeschi, Park & Calhoun, 1998) PTG is closely related to resilience since resilient responses and resilient people typically show positive outcomes of trauma. It is also a way in which religion may be connected to

A meaningful life reflects in people’s goals, which motivate them and guide their energy. When people experience trauma, it leads to perception of life as meaningless. However, it also gives an opportunity for personal growth as people attempt to regain the lost meaning of life. The newly formed life perceptions and goals are likely to be stronger, more directed and with deeper meaning, and could reform one’s personality into a more resilient one with a greater sense of purpose in life. Religion, many a time, can lend a sense of meaning to life through its core values and teachings and thus contribute to resilience. Sure enough, the positive changes resulting from trauma, as reported in the PTG literature, include ‘a deeper and often spiritual sense of meaning in life,’ empathy and closeness to others and acknowledgement of the ‘fragility of life.’ (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009) All of these factors exist in the common teachings and philosophical discussions of religions.

When people suffer from trauma, they grow and find meaning through the process of Meaning-making, described as “reappraisal and revision of the interpretation and significance of an event.” (Baumeister & Vohs, 2002) The two ways of meaning-making are (Nolen-Hoeksema & Davis, 2002): one, sense-making, which refers to comprehending the event in terms