104 COPING RESOURCES
literature on what factors contribute to resilience. Bonanno (2012: 754) defines
resilience as a ‘stable trajectory of healthy functioning in response to a clearly defined
event’. Typically resilience is defined by this successful outcome. It is not a personality
construct though personality traits (e.g. optimism) are predictors of the outcome
(Carver et al., 2005; Zautra and Reich, 2011). Other factors seen as contributing to
resilience include resources such as social networks, income and education (Zautra and
Reich, 2011; Bonanno et al., 2007).
However, in addition to these variables, processes of coping with stressful events
are central to achieving successful outcomes. Researchers have investigated the links
between coping strategies and resilience. For example, Bonanno et al. (2012)
investigated the coping strategies (using the COPE scale) that predicted resilience (i.e.,
a stable pattern over time of low symptoms of anxiety and depression) in the face of
spinal cord injury. They found that resilient patients were more likely to appraise
the spinal cord injury as a challenge rather than a threat and were more likely to cope
using strategies of acceptance and fighting spirit and less likely to use behavioural
disengagement. A study of child caregivers also showed that resilience is associated with
higher levels of benefit finding (see above; Cassidy, Giles and McLaughlin, 2014).
Building resilienceThe American Psychological Association (2014) has produced a list of 10 ways to
build resilience:1 Make connections: building relationships, accepting and giving help and support.
2 Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems: change how you interpret and
respond to difficult events.
3 Accept that change is part of living: this includes accepting circumstances that
cannot be changed.
4 Move toward your goals: develop realistic goals and take steps to move towards
them.
5 Take decisive actions: act on difficult situations rather than detaching from them
or wishing they will go away.
6 Look for opportunities for self-discovery: try to learn from difficult experiences.
7 Nurture a positive view of yourself: develop confidence in your abilities to solve
problems and trust your instincts.
8 Keep things in perspective: avoid blowing problems out of proportion.
9 Maintain a hopeful outlook: be optimistic. Visualise what you want rather than
worrying about what you fear.
10 Take care of yourself: for example, engage in activities you enjoy, exercise, etc.
Source: From American Psychological Association (2014). Copyright © 2014 by the American
Psychological Association. Reprinted with permission.FOCUS 5.4