Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives

Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the literature on psychological and biological findings on resilience (i.e. the successful adaptation and swift recovery after experiencing life adversities) at the level of the individual, and to integrate findings from animal and human studies.MethodElectronic and manual literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PSYCHINFO, using a range of search terms around biological and psychological factors influencing resilience as observed in human and experimental animal studies, complemented by review articles and cross-references.ResultsThe term resilience is used in the literature for different phenomena ranging from prevention of mental health disturbance to successful adaptation and swift recovery after experiencing life adversities, and may also include post-traumatic psychological growth. Secure attachment, experiencing positive emotions and having a purpose in life are three important psychological building blocks of resilience. Overlap between psychological and biological findings on resilience in the literature is most apparent for the topic of stress sensitivity, although recent results suggest a crucial role for reward experience in resilience.ConclusionImproving the understanding of the links between genetic endowment, environmental impact and gene–environment interactions with developmental psychology and biology is crucial for elucidating the neurobiological and psychological underpinnings of resilience.

Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms After Perinatal Loss in a Population-Based Sample

“…[7][8][9] Components of resilience may help explain some of our unexpected findings. With the generally increased psychosocial stressors among African Americans and their significantly lower usage of formal treatment, it is surprising to find that group trending (albeit not statistically significant) toward less distress than Caucasians.…”

“…5,6 Still others focus on a normative resilient response in which there may be little overt expression of grief and/or unexpected benefits. [7][8][9] While we are using a psychiatric, Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) categorization of emotional disorders such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we respect different approaches to understanding the repercussions of perinatal loss.…”

Resilience, risk, mental health and well-being: associations and conceptual differences

“…To address the complexity of the interaction between various promotive factors (assets and resources alike) and risk factors, development of a clinically useful evaluation tool of resilience and its sufficiency in light of a person's living situation will require large studies adopting a differential multidimensional approach. These should include neurobiological factors such as biological stress responses [25] and should take into account that it is unlikely that one 'diagnosis of resilience' will serve all [22]. Furthermore, future studies should also aim to specify possible core features of resilience across developmental stages, cultures and specific adverse living conditions such as war, migration, maltreatment, or living with a family member with severe mental illness, and the severity of adversities to be faced.…”

Resiliencia y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes adultos que reciben quimioterapia

“…Es así que, puede hablarse de una persona competente desde una perspectiva vinculada con la resiliencia, en tanto que pueda alcanzar resultados satisfactorios del desarrollo Por otro lado, se puede entender este concepto como un proceso dinámico y adaptativo que subordina el mantenimiento de la homeostasis o que permite recuperar rápidamente ante condiciones de estrés. Se trata de un proceso de sostenimiento que; a su vez, previene y atenúa los posibles disturbios en la salud mental y el bienestar tras la exposición frente a adversidades severas, y que permite recobrar con facilidad un estado de salud mental tras los disturbios ocasiones por factores adversos (Rutten et al, 2013).…”

“…Es así que ciertos pacientes diagnosticados con una enfermedad oncológica y durante su tratamiento, exhiben rasgos de resiliencia que les permiten conducir una buena adaptación frente a los riesgos y amenazas contra su funcionamiento regular, integridad física, bienestar y calidad de vida (Becoña, 2006;APA, 2016). Asimismo, de acuerdo con la definición del constructo de resiliencia, no habría únicamente una adecuada adaptación al proceso de quimioterapia y al proceso de aceptación de la enfermedad oncológica; sino que, probablemente, los pacientes utilizarían su rasgo de resiliencia como un mecanismo para recuperarse ante próximas condiciones de estrés, previniendo y atenuando posibles disturbios que podrían incurrir en su salud mental y física, recobrando un equilibro y control de sus emociones, lo que coincide con los planteamientos de Rutten et al (2013).…”