Research Surrounding the Concept of Resilience

The concept of resilience has only recently been empirically evaluated by researchers. Resilience is a complex mosaic that contains positive values, outlooks, and social support networks which piece together for the creation of a individually specific barrier against negative outcomes for those at risk. Once thought to be a rare adaptive phenomenon, resiliency is starting to be understood as a more common form of protection from the negativity brought on by traumatic experiences. A study conducted by George Bonanno demonstrated a surprising set of data that shows resilience, rather that recovery, as the primary common coping method (2005). These findings are not unusual when considering the tools that people already use to facilitate healthy psychological development in their lives before experiencing a tragic event. The contributing factors of a typical healthy development mirror the factors that are thought to promote resilience (Bonanno, 2005). The adaptation developed after a crisis event may be exaggerated forms of the factors that contribute to healthy human development. The Survival strategies displayed by trauma victims would, in some instances, be seen as maladaptive. However, their brief use as a way to cope after a crisis should be viewed as a means to buffer oneself from the overwhelming stressors that accompany traumatic events. Instead, resilience strategies such as the transcendence of negative emotions is often, erroneously interpreted as a defensive denial of painful feelings (Bonanno, 2005). It is judgmental interpretations of some authorities in the field that are holding back the evolution of human experience towards a more positive construct. Bonanno defends his conclusions regarding the adaptive nature of adult resilience by pointing out the highly stable functioning of people with resilient coping skills. Blissfully ignorant of outside criticism, some resilient adults remain stable and functional (Bonanno, 2005).

Resiliency is not only useful in buffering against psychological distress. In his article Thomas Miller posits that the increasingly chaotic nature of society on a global scale will inevitably result in new psychological and physiological health concerns being presented to helping professionals (2007). Miller posits that the social, political, and environmental turmoil faced by humanity are the direct cause of increasingly complex health problems. This negative trend is likely to worsen without a consorted effort of professional psychologists and other mental health professionals to improve elevate the status quo on a global scale (2007). The solutions proposed by Miller seek to break down the ineffective diagnostic and treatment strategies that are currently in place. Innovation is needed to build new systems in place of the ones which are not salvageable, such as the education system. Unity is needed to break down the boundaries that keep the advancement of human societies confined to small areas and to remove the shroud of ignorance that creates the fear and hatred brought by ethnocentrism (Miller, 2007). Miller uses resilience to demonstrate the way people’s attitudes and peoples actions are dynamically intertwined (2007). Fostering resilience in the individual is a wonderful pursuit. Miller points out the unfortunate nature of our planet and the depressingly small impact that the focus on treating people’s problems will have on the improvement of humanities evolution. We care unable to reduce human suffering until we reform the societal values, political inadequacies, and environmental dangers that cause many of the presenting problems of our clients in the first place. It is the responsibility of educated health professionals to take actions that provide the impetus for compassionate thinking on the part of the majority (Miller, 2007). Promotion of positive and compassionate thought patterns will, Miller assures, spark positive and compassionate actions on a large scale. Miller’s article is a challenge to all helping professionals to apply the concept of resilience to society as a whole (Miller, 2007). We are in a very powerful place in the evolution of humanity. The potential for dramatic positive changes already exists. The revolutionary actions needed to actualize this potential have become a challenging, rewarding, and necessary pursuit for everyone with knowledge of their power to inspire global ascension.