| Description |
Resilience is defined by Luther et al. 2000, as "a dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation within the context of significant adversity" (p. 543). According to Luther, two conditions are implied in this definition: "(1) exposure to significant threat or severe adversity; and (2) the achievement of positive adaptation despite major assaults on the developmental process" (p. 543). Another article on the "Implications of Resilience Concepts for Scientific Understanding" describes resilience as an "interactive concept" in which there is "resistance to environmental risk experiences, or the overcoming of stress or adversity" (Rutter, 2006, p. 1). Rutter (2006) goes on to define resilience as the term, "used to refer to the finding that some individuals have a relatively good psychological outcome despite suffering risk experiences that would be expected to bring about serious sequelae" (p.1). In each of these definitions, a similar concept exists that resilience is adaptive and dynamic, and it changes over time in reaction to different life experiences. Resilience is the ability to adapt in a positive direction, with adequate support resources in place, despite destabilizing experiences. |
