Resilience is an active process that involves effective adaptive coping strategies, stress management, flexibility, and positive functioning after the experience of adverse events (Stainton et al., 2018). Resilience can be impacted by oneself efficacy, emotional reactivity, and social support, as well as numerous other environmental factors (Smith et al., 2014). Resiliency is associated with more adaptive and better psychological outcomes in people that experience adversity (Smith et al., 2014). 

Resilience was operationalized by utilizing the 10-item Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC-10) to assess factors such as levels of adaptability, perseverance, optimism, and mental strength (Connor & Davidson, 2003). CD-RISC-10 is a self-report, 10 item Likert scale questionnaire that assesses various factors indicative of one’s resilience, stress coping ability, and qualities that enable one to thrive in the face of adversity (Connor & Davidson, 2003). The CD-RISC-10 was modified for the purposes of this class by converting the Likert scale into a continuous scale ranging from 0-100 and shortening the measure to 5 items.  

Sample questions

• Having to cope with stress can make me stronger

• I can deal with whatever comes my way

The CD-RISC-10 is a commonly used measure of resilience, has psychometrically sound properties, and is appropriate for use across cultures (Riopel, 2019). This scale has strong test-retest reliability, high internal consistency, and demonstrates construct, face, and convergent validity (Connor & Davidson, 2003)

Resilience can impact an individual’s ability to respond adaptively to negative circumstances they may encounter (Stainton et al., 2018). However, levels of resilience vary across individuals and populations (Stainton et al., 2018). Individuals with high levels of resiliency report being less distressed, anxious, and depressed (Smith et al.,2014). Further resilient individuals tend to experience more positive than negative moods, and reported greater life satisfaction (Smith et al., 2014). That said, understanding how resiliency is developed and maintained is important for informing future research and developing psychoeducational strategies to promote resilience. Understanding causes of resilience will help improve individual outcomes and life satisfaction among individuals who have experienced adversity.  

High levels of resiliency have been found to be associated with task oriented coping strategies that are more associated with adaptive outcomes, such as problem solving (Smith et al., 2014). Further, higher levels of resilience were also associated with lower levels of emotion oriented coping strategies that are often associated with poorer outcome, such as rumination or self-blame (Smith et al., 2014). Differing levels of resilience can also alter trajectories of psychological illnesses and can predict psychological outcomes (Stainton et al., 2018; Smith et al., 2014).) Resilience may act as a protective factor against anxiety and depression (Song et al., 2021). Thus, resilience can reduce the impact of anxiety and depression, and increase one’s life satisfaction, positive affect, and overall wellbeing (Smith et al., 2014).

Check out the research below that the students of the Spring 2024 PSYC 300 class have conducted on this topic!