What is resilience?

Resilience is the ability of people in crisis situations to fall back on personal and socially mediated resources and thus cope with stressful situations. In short, resilience is a process or a phenomenon that shows a positive adaptation of the individual, despite existing risk factors.

Resilience = resilience in life crises

Classification of resilience factors

1. Factors at an individual level: personality traits, skills, physiological factors
2. Factors at a social level: social relationships with family and peers
3. Factors at societal level: influences from social norms and institutions, availability of social resources

Development process of resilience

Perception of the situation

- Evaluation of stressors as threatening

- Successful coping with stressors in the past

-> Available resources

- Genetic predisposition

- Protective and risk factors (e.g. optimism, parental parenting style)

- Development of coping self-efficacy

-> Successful coping with stressful situations

How can resilience help in stressful situations?

In order to cope better with stressful situations, you can promote and strengthen your resilience. Resilience can therefore be used as a preventative measure against stress. The American Psychological Association has developed a plan for this:

1. Build networks and encourage mutual support
2. Accept change as part of life
3. Do not classify crises as insurmountable problems
4. Pursue your own goals with determination
5. Be proactive and make clear decisions
6. Use opportunities for self-reflection
7. Promote positive self-perception
8. Classify problems correctly
9. Stay optimistic
10. Take care of yourself