All of us face stress and adversity at different points in our lives. How adverse circumstances affect us, however, is partly determined by our level of resilience.
Resilience is one’s ability to recover from or adjust to hardship or change. Though we all have a baseline level of resilience, it’s not a static or unchangeable quality. Resilience can be increased by building an individual’s protective factors. Protective factors are the positive conditions and personal or social resources that promote resiliency, protect and buffer an individual, and reduce the potential for high-risk behaviors. Examples include a warm family environment, a strong social community, group or activity involvement, a mentor or role model, and a consistent and fair family routine.
Taking a strengths approach is also a very effective way to build resilience and natural supports. Put simply, a strengths approach focuses on an individual’s or a family’s strong points, achievements, and positive qualities, rather than areas of weakness or deficiency. “Resiliency theory” is closely related to a strengths approach, and states that risk factors can be outweighed by protective factors to help build resilience.
Building natural supports is an effective way to cope with challenges. Families who learn how to cope with challenges and meet individual needs are more resilient in the face of stress and crisis.