How resilience is strengthened by exposure to stressors: the systematic self-reflection model of resilience strengthening

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    169 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: Exposure to demands is normally considered to drain resources and threaten wellbeing. However, studies have indicated a resilience-strengthening role for stressors.

    Objectives: This paper introduces a unifying model, including five testable hypotheses regarding how resilience can be strengthened progressively via exposure to life-stressors.

    Methods: We review and synthesize relevant scholarship that underpins the Systematic Self-Reflection model of resilience-strengthening.

    Results: The model highlights the importance of a specific meta-cognitive skill (self-reflection on one’s initial stressor response) as a mechanism for strengthening resilience. The Systematic Self-Reflection model uniquely proposes five self-reflective practices critical in the on-going adaptation of three resilient capacities: (1) coping resources, (2) usage of coping and emotional regulatory repertoire, and (3) resilient beliefs. The self-reflective process is proposed to strengthen a person’s resilience by developing insight into their already-present capacities, the limitations of these capacities, and by stimulating the search for person-driven alternative approaches.

    Conclusion: This model extends the existing scholarship by proposing how the experience of stressors and adversity may have resilience-strengthening opportunities. The implication of this model is that engaging with stressors can have positive consequences for longer-term healthy emotional development if scaffolded in adaptive reflective practices.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-17
    Number of pages17
    JournalAnxiety, Stress and Coping
    Volume32
    Issue number1
    Early online date2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

    Keywords

    • adversity
    • stress appraisal
    • coping strategies
    • post-traumatic stress
    • self-reflection
    • Adversity

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