Resilience

older woman on a beach looking up at the sky

The process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands. A number of factors contribute to how well people adapt to adversities, predominant among them (a) the ways in which individuals view and engage with the world, (b) the availability and quality of social resources, and (c) specific coping strategies.

Psychological research demonstrates that the resources and skills associated with more positive adaptation (i.e., greater resilience) can be cultivated and practiced. Also called psychological resilience.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology

Resources from APA

The Road to Resilience

Building your resilience

We all face trauma, adversity, and other stresses. Here’s a roadmap for adapting to life-changing situations, and emerging even stronger than before.
Resilience for teens

Resilience for teens: 10 tips to build skills on bouncing back from rough times

The ability to adapt well in the face of hard times is a valuable skill for young adults. Here are ten tips to begin your journey to resilience.
Resilience Guide

Resilience guide for parents and teachers

Children’s problems include adapting to a new classroom, bullying by classmates, or abuse at home, but resilience is the ability to thrive despite these challenges.
Native American woman

Helping psychologists work with American Indian and Alaska Native communities

Cultural humility supports patients and increases trust
A counseling session showing two people seated and facing each other.

Building resilience in marginalized patients

Shufang Sun studies minority stress, early adversity, and adapting mindfulness to empower patients
building a house

Volunteering and other kind acts help the helper, too

People who volunteer are happier, less depressed, and less lonely than others

From resilience to responsibility: Student well-being at the intersection of positive psychology and climate justice

An introductory psychology course curriculum that prioritizes agency building can transform anxiety into proactive behaviors, buffering against systemic helplessness
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