What Is Resilience?

Resilience essentially refers to being able to deal with stressful situations and master crises in a healthy manner.

The term resilience is often translated as "resistance".

Risk Factors and Protective Factors

Common resilience models contrast risk factors (also: stressors) on the one hand, protective factors (also: protectors) on the other.

Risk factors can be, for example:

  • High demands, on oneself and from the outside
  • Poor working atmosphere
  • Constant availability
  • Information overload
  • Lack of appreciation

Examples of protective factors are:

  • Self-esteem
  • Clarity about roles and tasks
  • Being seen and heard
  • Acceptance
  • Meaningfulness

Coping Better with Difficult Situations

Resilience means keeping risk and protective factors at least in balance – ideally, nurturing the protective factors and perhaps even expanding them. The stronger our own resilience is, the better we can cope with difficult situations and stay healthy.

Author

Ariane Modaressi

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