Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Resilience across the Life Span

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 32348

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Helen Y. L. Chan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: qualitative and mixed-methods research; chronic illness; long-term care; end-of-life care; care ethics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ho-Yu Cheng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: mental health; family caregivers; problem solving; cardiovascular health; meta-analysis

Dr. Connie Yuen-Yu Chong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: acceptance and commitment therapy; acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions; family and child health; prosociality; family resilience

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Resilience refers to the capacity to adapt and bounce back from significant hardships and adversities in terms of physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual or financial events across the life span (Eriksson and Lindstrom, 2011; Luthar, Cicchetti and Becker, 2000). Although a consensual definition of resilience is yet to be established, the literature generally suggests that it is a contextual, dynamic and developmental process (Aburn, Gott and Hoare, 2016, Luthar, 2000). Research on resilience has expanded beyond identifying personal characteristics and protective factors to strategies for building resilience and proliferated across the psychology, medicine, nursing and social sciences fields. Previous studies predominantly focused on the psychological resilience of children, adolescents, older adults, people with chronic conditions, life-threatening illnesses or mental health problems, family carers and health care providers. Recently, the concept of community resilience has emerged to describe the collective adaptability following disasters and terrorism. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on the impacts of resilience on health. Manuscripts in the format of research papers, brief reports and reviews advancing the understanding and conceptualisation of resilience at individual, family, community and/or social levels, instrument development and validation, assessment, methodological issues and resilience-building interventions in various contexts are welcome.

Dr. Helen Y. L. Chan
Dr. Ho-Yu Cheng
Dr. Connie Yuen-Yu Chong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

adaptation
adversity
coping
psychological endurance
resilience
stress

Published Papers (12 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Other

14 pages, 593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association of Resilience with Mental Health in a Large Population-Based Sample (LIFE-Adult-Study)

by Elena Caroline Weitzel, Margrit Löbner, Heide Glaesmer, Andreas Hinz, Samira Zeynalova, Sylvia Henger, Christoph Engel, Nigar Reyes, Kerstin Wirkner, Markus Löffler and Steffi G. Riedel-Heller

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15944; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192315944 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1212

Abstract

Resilience describes a good adaptation to adversity. Strengthening resilience is a promising approach in the prevention of mental health problems. Yet, research on the association of resilience with mental health symptoms in the general population is scarce. The aim of our study is to examine comprehensively the association of resilience with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress in a large population-based sample. We analyzed data of n = 3762 participants from the follow-up assessment of the LIFE-Adult-Study, a population-based cohort study in Leipzig. Assessments included resilience (RS-11), depressive symptoms (CES-D), anxiety (GAD-7), and perceived stress (PSQ). The association of resilience with mental health symptoms was examined via multiple linear regression analyses. In our analyses, higher resilience predicted less mental health problems and contributed significantly to the explained variance in mental health outcomes. Women, individuals with previous mental disorders, and those without employment had higher mental health symptoms. Resilience is closely associated with mental health problems in the general population. Vulnerable groups should be targeted with public health measures. Strengthening resilience is a promising approach in the large-scale prevention of mental disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Builds Resilience? Sociodemographic and Social Correlates in the Population-Based LIFE-Adult-Study

by Elena Caroline Weitzel, Heide Glaesmer, Andreas Hinz, Samira Zeynalova, Sylvia Henger, Christoph Engel, Markus Löffler, Nigar Reyes, Kerstin Wirkner, A. Veronica Witte, Arno Villringer, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller and Margrit Löbner

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9601; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19159601 - 04 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1985

Abstract

Resilience is closely related to mental health and well-being. Identifying risk groups with lower resilience and the variables associated with resilience informs preventive approaches. Previous research on resilience patterns in the general population is heterogeneous, and comprehensive large-scale studies are needed. The aim of our study is to examine sociodemographic and social correlates of resilience in a large population-based sample. We examined 4795 participants from the LIFE-Adult-Study. Assessments included resilience (RS-11), social support (ESSI), and social network (LSNS), as well as the sociodemographic variables age, gender, marital status, education, and occupation. The association of resilience with sociodemographic and social correlates was examined using linear regression analyses. Higher resilience was associated with female gender, married marital status, high education, and full-time occupation. Social support and social network were positively associated with resilience. Our results implicate that resilience is related to various sociodemographic variables. Social variables seem to be particularly important for resilience. We identified risk groups with lower resilience, which should be given special attention by public health policies, especially in times of crisis. Reducing loneliness and promoting social connectedness may be promising ways to build resilience in the general population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction: A Way to Enhance Resilience in Traumatic Situations

by Maria-Jose Lera and Shadi Abualkibash

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6649; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19116649 - 29 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1821

Abstract

Background/Objective: The impact of traumatic events on resilience and the mediating factors creates specific interest in a conflict context. This study has explored the relationship between the satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs (BPN) and resilience in adolescents exposed to different levels of adversity in Palestine. Method: A total of 837 eighth-, ninth- and tenth-grade students from the Gaza Strip (n = 300) and the West Bank (n = 537) completed three questionnaires to assess trauma, BPN satisfaction, and resilience. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the Gaza Strip (0.61) and the West Bank (0.29) in exposure to traumatic events; in both contexts, the BPN satisfaction was associated positively with resilience; in the West Bank the BPN satisfaction mediates the negative impact of trauma on resilience, and in the Gaza Strip, with the higher level of trauma, the BPN satisfaction interacts with trauma, positively affecting resilience. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of satisfying BPN and indicates the importance of implementing intervention programs designed to satisfy BPN as a way of strengthening resilience in youth people living in traumatic situations Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 899 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identity Processing Style and Meaning in Life among Emerging Adults: Mediational Role of Commitment

by Natalia Czyżowska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6585; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19116585 - 28 May 2022

Viewed by 1880

Abstract

Building one’s own identity and finding meaning in life are important tasks for emerging adults. Although many agree that both are essential in terms of the well-being and proper functioning of an individual, there is little empirical data concerning the relationship between the way young people process information about themselves and the feeling that their life has a purpose and value. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how identity processing styles (normative, diffuse-avoidant and informational) and two dimensions of meaning of life (presence and the search for meaning) are related. It was also assumed that identity commitment could play a mediating role between those variables. 183 emerging adults who participated in the study completed Identity Style Inventory (ISI-5) and Meaning in Life Questionnaire. The cross-sectional study design was used. Using Structural Equation Modeling revealed that commitment mediated the relationship between two of three identity styles (diffuse-avoidant and informational) and presence, but not search for or meaning in life. Normative identity style also negatively predicted the search for meaning in life. It seems that commitment might play an important role in meaning-making process, and as such, should be strengthened and encouraged when working with individuals at this stage in life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Participation in Activities and Perceived Accessibility on Quality of Life among Nondisabled Older Adults and Those with Disabilities in Israel during COVID-19

by Orit Segev-Jacubovski and Ephraim Shapiro

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5878; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19105878 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, quality of life (QoL) was reduced among many groups, including Israeli older adults. This study investigated perceived QoL, perceived accessibility of the living environment, and participation in activities among nondisabled older adults and those with disabilities in the community. It also examined whether the perceived accessibility’s effect on QoL occurs directly and/or indirectly via mediators of participation in community activities. A voluntary and anonymous survey was administered from February to May 2021 to 495 participants aged 60 and older. Respondents completed three questionnaires: WHOQOL-BREF, Community Integration Questionnaire-Revised (CIQ-R), and Perceived Accessibility of Living Environment (PALE). The main finding was that participation in activities in the community had a direct positive impact on QoL. Perceived accessibility of the living environment also had indirect positive effects on QoL through participation in activities in the community, for those without disabilities but, interestingly, not for those with disabilities. Hierarchal linear regressions revealed that participation in activities explained 53.3% of the variance for both groups while perceived accessibility added 1.1% for the nondisabled. We conclude that accessibility of living environment is a good indicator of positively perceived QoL through participation in various activities in the community for nondisabled older adults. This may be especially important during a pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Optimism and Emotional Regulation

by Imen Krifa, Llewellyn Ellardus van Zyl, Amel Braham, Selma Ben Nasr and Rebecca Shankland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031413 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4610

Abstract

In light of different challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, university students are considered a particularly vulnerable population to mental health and study engagement issues. The first years at university represent a crucial period for students and are associated with an increase in mental health problems, particularly in healthcare studies. This study aimed (1) to document the current levels of mental health and study engagement among healthcare students in Tunisia, and (2) to investigate the relationships between emotional regulation, optimism, study engagement and common mental health problems (stress, anxiety and depression) among this population. A cross-sectional, electronic survey-based research design was used to draw a sample of 366 health care students from a University in Tunisia. Participants mostly reported mild (34.7%) or moderate (44.3%) levels of depression, moderate (44.7%) or severe (33.6%) levels of anxiety, average (50.8%) or mild (33.8%) levels of stress, and high levels of study engagement (>85%). Through structural equation modelling, the results showed that emotional regulation negatively affected stress, anxiety, and depression. Optimism partially mediated the relationship between emotional regulation, anxiety and depression and fully mediated the relationship between emotional regulation and study engagement. The findings indicated a high prevalence of psychological distress among healthcare university students in Tunisia, and specific protective factors that may be targeted to reduce mental health problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 341 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resilience Predicts Lower Anxiety and Depression and Greater Recovery after a Vicarious Trauma

by Christophe Leys, Ilios Kotsou, Rebecca Shankland, Mathilde Firmin, Sandrine Péneau and Pierre Fossion

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12608; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182312608 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3083

Abstract

This study validated the French version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-F) and tested the protective role of resilience in the context of vicarious trauma (22 March 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels) regarding anxiety and depression symptoms. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated a single-factor structure of the BRS-F. Investigation of convergent validity showed that the BRS-F was positively correlated with usual outcomes such as subjective happiness, acceptance, and sense of coherence, and negatively correlated with anxiety and depression symptoms. Lastly, the results of the study showed that resilience protected against the effect of vicarious trauma in two ways. First, at the time of exposure, the more resilient individuals reported lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Second, after three months, the more resilient individuals recovered from these symptoms, whereas no significant effect was found for less resilient individuals. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

10 pages, 721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fibromyalgia: Evidence for Deficits in Positive Psychology Resources. A Case-Control Study from the Al-Ándalus Project

by Manuel Javier Arrayás-Grajera, Inmaculada Tornero-Quiñones, Blanca Gavilán-Carrera, Octavio Luque-Reca, Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente, Ángela Sierra-Robles, Ana Carbonell-Baeza and Fernando Estévez-López

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12021; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212021 - 16 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2129

Abstract

Positive psychology is the study of positive subjective experience and individual traits. Identifying deficits in positive psychology regarding fibromyalgia may inform targets for management. Therefore, the aim of the present case–control study was to compare the levels of positive affect, negative affect, satisfaction with life, optimism and emotional repair in a large sample of women with fibromyalgia (cases) and age-matched peers without fibromyalgia (controls). This case–control study included 437 women with fibromyalgia (51.6 ± 7.1 years old) and 206 age-matched women without fibromyalgia (50.6 ± 7.2 years old). Participants self-reported their levels of (i) subjective well-being on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Satisfaction with Life Scale, (ii) dispositional optimism on the Life Orientation Test-Revised and (iii) emotional repair on the Trait Meta-Mood Scale. Women with fibromyalgia showed lower levels of positive affect, satisfaction with life, optimism and emotional repair and higher levels of negative affect. Large effect sizes were found for positive affect, negative affect and satisfaction with life (all, Cohen’s d ≥ 0.80) and small-to-moderate for emotional repair and optimism (both, Cohen’s d ≥ 0.50). Women with fibromyalgia experience deficits of positive psychology resources. Thus, developing tailored therapies for fibromyalgia focusing on reducing deficits in positive psychology resources may be of clinical interest, though this remains to be corroborated in future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Critical Role of Coping Strategies in Moderating Loneliness and Quality of Life: Parallel and Unique Processes among Transgender and Heterosexual Cisgender People in Pakistan

by Samiya Batool and David L. Rowland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9109; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18179109 - 29 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2530

Abstract

Groups marginalized and/or isolated by minority status—including transgender individuals—are at significant risk for loneliness and diminished quality of life (QoL), effects that can be mitigated to some extent by coping styles. In this study, we examined the relationships among coping styles, loneliness, and QoL outcomes in a marginalized but understudied gender minority group, namely, 200 transgender individuals living in communities in an emerging/developing non-Western geo-cultural region of South-Central Asia (Pakistan), comparing them against a reference group of 100 heterosexual cisgender individuals. Results indicated strong relationships among coping styles, loneliness, and QoL in both transgender and cisgender groups. Moderating variable analysis revealed that coping skills—whether adaptive or maladaptive—help explain differences in loneliness and QoL not only between trans- and cis-gender individuals, but also within just the transgender group. The implications of these findings for intervention strategies to improve QoL among transgender populations are discussed, with reference to both the specific context within Pakistan and the larger context of transgender marginalization within many developing/emerging countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

14 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transition from Acute Treatment to Survivorship: Exploring the Psychosocial Adjustments of Chinese Parents of Children with Cancer or Hematological Disorders

by Nelson Chun Yiu Yeung, Ka Chun Cheung, Ho Cheung Chau, Alex Wing Kwan Leung, Chi Kong Li, Teddy Tai Ning Lam, Ho Yu Cheng and Yin Ting Cheung

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7815; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18157815 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2468

Abstract

Objectives: Parents of children diagnosed with critical illnesses face multiple challenges during their caregiving experience. However, relevant studies have been limited in the Chinese context. Guided by the stress and coping model, we conducted a qualitative study to identify the stressors, coping strategies, and adjustment experiences of Hong Kong parents of children with cancer or hematological disorders. Methods: We recruited 15 parents of children with cancer or hematological disorders requiring bone marrow transplantation and were currently >2 years post-treatment. They participated in a 30-min semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was performed using the grounded theory approach. Results: The stressors reported by parents included a high caregiving burden during their children’s diagnosis and treatment stages. The fear of recurrence, the need for information, and concerns about late effects were also common among the parents during their children’s transition/survivorship stage. To cope with these stressors, the parents commonly used problem-focused (e.g., seeking help from professionals and support groups) and emotion-focused (e.g., behavioral distractions, venting, and crying) strategies. Despite these stressors, parents reported positive changes through the caregiving experience, such as improved family relationships, developing health-protective habits, and the reprioritization of different aspects of life. Conclusions: Parents encounter different stressors during the cancer care continuum. Using different coping strategies, parents experience positive changes amidst caregiving. Future studies should explore culturally relevant adaptive coping strategies to enhance parents’ psychosocial adjustment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

Other

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 3491 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Arpita Parmar, Kayla Esser, Lesley Barreira, Douglas Miller, Leora Morinis, Yuen-Yu Chong, Wanda Smith, Nathalie Major, Paige Church, Eyal Cohen and Julia Orkin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 8205; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18158205 - 03 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4852

Abstract

Context: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging treatment for improving psychological well-being. Objective: To summarize research evaluating the effects of ACT on psychological well-being in children with special health care needs (SHCN) and their parents. Data Sources: An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid/EMBASE and PsycINFO (January 2000–April 2021). Study Selection: Included were studies that assessed ACT in children with SHCN (ages 0–17y) and/or parents of children with SHCN and had a comparator group. Data Extraction: Descriptive data were synthesized and presented in a tabular format, and data on relevant outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, stress, avoidance and fusion) were used in the meta-analyses to explore the effectiveness of ACT (administered independently with no other psychological therapy) compared to no treatment. Results: Ten studies were identified (child (7) and parent (3)). In children with SHCN, ACT was more effective than no treatment at helping depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −4.27, 95% CI: −5.20, −3.34; p < 0.001) and avoidance and fusion (SMD = −1.64, 95% CI: −3.24, −0.03; p = 0.05), but not stress. In parents of children with SHCN, ACT may help psychological inflexibility (SMD = −0.77, 95% CI: −1.07, −0.47; p < 0.01). Limitations: There was considerable statistical heterogeneity in three of the six meta-analyses. Conclusions: There is some evidence that ACT may help with depressive symptoms in children with SHCN and psychological inflexibility in their parents. Research on the efficacy of ACT for a variety of children with SHCN and their parents is especially limited, and future research is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 284 KiB

Open AccessEssay

Rocks, Dandelions or Steel Springs: Understanding Resilience from a Public Health Perspective

by Karl Gauffin, Josephine Jackisch and Ylva B. Almquist

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 8189; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18158189 - 02 Aug 2021

Viewed by 2328

Abstract

The multifaceted concept of resilience is widely used to describe individual or societal abilities to withstand and adjust to external pressures. In relation to health, resilience can help us to understand a positive health development despite adverse circumstances. The authors of this article aimed to disentangle this complex concept by elaborating on three metaphors commonly used to describe resilience. Similarities and differences between resilience as a rock, a dandelion, and a steel spring are discussed. The metaphors partly overlap but still provide slightly different perspectives on the development and manifestation of resilience. With reference to longitudinal studies of long-term health development, the article also elaborates on how resilience relates to temporal dimensions commonly used in epidemiological studies: age, cohort, and period. Moreover, the interaction between resilience at individual, organizational, and societal levels is discussed. In conclusion, it is argued that public health sciences have great potential to further a theoretical discussion that improves our understanding of resilience and promotes the integration of individual- and community-level perspectives on resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience across the Life Span)

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Resilience across the Life Span

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (12 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI