What does psychological resilience refer to?

Psychological resilience specifically refers to the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, or significant stress. This concept encompasses not just the ability to withstand challenges but also to emerge from them with a sense of strength and renewed purpose. Bouncing back implies that individuals can evaluate their resources and utilize coping strategies effectively, which is a core component of resilience.

In contrast, the idea of avoiding stress and adversity does not accurately capture resilience, as resilience is about how one reacts to and manages challenges rather than evading them entirely. Seeking social support can be an important part of a resilient approach, but it does not fully define resilience by itself. Lastly, being inflexible under pressure contradicts the very nature of resilience, which involves flexibility and adaptability in stressful situations.