What is resilience?
Abstract
This chapter focuses on explaining what resilience is, and what it is not. It explores definitions of resilience, as well as metaphors and analogies for resilience. It describes misconceptions of resilience and explains whether it is inborn or learnt. It looks at key factors in the development of resilience, and shows how to tell when resilience levels vary. It shows that mindset is central to resilience, and explains the impact of ‘soundtracks’ in the mind which shape our responses. It also looks at signs of resilience and threats to resilience, and how to spot when there is loss of resilience.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Resilience and Mental Health
Optimism
Hope
and Well-being
Grit
Self-Efficacy
and Motivation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 31–54
- Publication date
- 2 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter