Introduction
Resilience attracted considerable attention and underwent substantial development in the 1970s, leading to a more profound understanding of the concept. According to Masten (2011), resilience has been observed in at-risk children with mental health and developmental issues caused by genetic or environmental factors. Resilience, as defined by Masten (2001), is the ability of a dynamic system to withstand or recover from significant changes that threaten its stability, viability, or development. This is primarily achieved by managing negative emotions and mobilising behavioural responses to alleviate stressful situations. Moreover, resilience aids individuals in coping with challenging life experiences by proactively adopting behaviours that enhance positive emotional perceptions of those experiences (Folkman & Lazarus, 1985).
Key Theoretical Elements
Masten (2001) is renowned for describing resilience as ‘ordinary magic’, emphasising two essential criteria: (a) one’s capacity to adapt and develop in a positive way and (b) conditions that makes it difficult to adapt well. Positive adaptation, or development, refers to the accomplishment of developmental tasks and psychological adaptations to the environment.
Masten (2001) frequently mentions two resilience theories: variable-focused and person-focused approaches. Using multivariate analysis, correlations among variables are explored in a variable-focused approach. Even though this method is statistically strong and can show patterns across variables (such as the person, their environment, and their experiences), it falls short of capturing a person’s entire experience. On the other hand, a person-focused approach considers the whole person, compares resilient and non-resilient individuals, as well as examines life course pathways and determines why they differ.
Character Strengths as Resilience Factor
Many people find that navigating through a traumatic experience necessitates the use of both external and internal resources (Masten et al., 2004). The healing process is all about reclaiming control over your body and mind. Miller-Karas (2015) underlined our body’s natural desire to heal and ability to overcome traumatic symptoms when we focus on pre-existing internal resources. However, when people are pushed to their limits, they often lose sight of their character strengths.
Character strengths can play a vital role in cultivating well-being and boosting resilience (Bonanno, 2004). These operate as (a) a buffer or protective source, (b) a strategy for managing, overcoming, or recovering from adversity and (c) a method of providing a unique perspective or mindset shift (Niemic, 2018). Further, character strengths are associated with a decrease in depression and an increase in wellbeing (Rust et al., 2009; Seligman et al., 2005).
The University of Pennsylvania’s VIA Classification of Character Strengths Test measures 24 character strengths (www.viacharacter.org). According to Niemiec (2019), all 24 strengths have been scientifically linked to resilience. They are categorised into signature, middle and lesser strength levels. Signature strengths are those that are most invigorating and natural to employ; they are the highest in an individual’s profile and are considered most compelling to the person (Niemiec & McGrath, 2019). Signature strengths seem to be especially important in terms of flourishing since they provide advantages for both well-being and the management of ill-being. These allow people to emerge from adversity with their strengths intact, enabling them to move forward in a positive manner (Niemiec, 2019).
How do we know whether character strengths originate from overcoming adversity (and thus a result of resilience) or are helping us to survive hardship? Although character strengths remain consistent across time, Peterson and Seligman (2004) argue that these may be impacted by a person’s environment and therefore can change.
Character strengths and resilience are linked in a bidirectional way, with character strengths leading to resilience and resilience leading to character strengths (Martinez-Marti & Ruch, 2017).
There are programmes (e.g. strengthsbasedresilience.com) available that teach individuals character strength to prepare them for challenging times. Helping individuals recognise and capitalise on their strengths not only makes them more effective problem solvers, but it also positively affects their general well-being, which is likely to increase their resilience (Niemiec, 2019a).
Most examples of resilience originate from the operation of fundamental human adaptational systems (Masten, 2014), which can include ‘character strength responses’. Character strength responses are our inherent reactions and capacity to adapt to life situations by using our character strengths to survive and thrive. The character strength response might progress from unconscious competence or incompetence to conscious competence over time (Mayerson, 2020). Conscious competence arises when subconsciously arising instinctive responses are made conscious and their activation becomes purposeful and practised. Therefore, intentionally tapping into one’s character strengths could contribute to and enhance resilience.
Conclusion
Resilience is the ability to bring out the best in individuals when they are most needed. Character strengths are essential for improving well-being and handling adversity. Character strengths, rather than vulnerabilities, symptoms, or weaknesses, can help individuals in navigating adversity resiliently and are strongly linked to the concept of flourishing. Learning about character strengths, building conscious competence, and using them appropriately, especially when overcoming trauma, would be a highly beneficial, uplifting, specific and holistic addition to therapy settings.
References
Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated thehuman capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist,59(1), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.59.1.20
Martínez-Martí, M. L., & Ruch, W. (2017). Character strengths predict resilience over andabove positive affect, self-efficacy, optimism, social support, self-esteem, and lifesatisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(2), 110–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1163403
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. AmericanPsychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227
Masten, A. (2011). Resilience in children threatened by extreme adversity: Frameworks for research, practice, and translational synergy. Development and Psychopathology, 23(2), 493-506. doi:10.1017/S0954579411000198
Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary magic: Resilience in development. Guilford Press.
Masten, A. S., Burt, K. B., Roisman, G. I., Obradovi, J., Long, J. D., & Tellegen, A. (2004). Resources and resilience in the transition to adulthood: Continuity and change. Development and Psychopathology, 16, 1071–1094.
Mayerson, N. H. (2020). The character strengths response: An urgent call to action. Frontiers. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02106/full
Miller-Karas, E. (2015). Building resilience to trauma: The trauma and community resiliency models. Routledge.
Niemiec, R. M. (2018). Character strengths interventions: A field guide for practitioners. Boston: Hogrefe.
Rust, T., Diessner, R., & Reade, L. (2009). Strengths only or strengths and relative weaknesses? A preliminary study. The Journal of Psychology, 143(5), 465–476. https://doi.org/10.3200/jrl.143.5.465-476
Seligman M. E. P., Steen T. A., Park N., Peterson C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: empirical validation of interventions. Am. Psychol. 60 410–421. 10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410
Niemiec, R. M. (2019). Finding the golden mean: The overuse, underuse, and optimal use of character strengths. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 32(3-4), 453–471. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1617674
Niemiec, R. M., and McGrath, R. E. (2019). The power of character strengths: Appreciate and ignite your positive personality. Cincinnati, OH: VIA Institute on Character.
Niemiec, R. M. (2019a). Six functions of character strengths for thriving at times of adversity and opportunity: A theoretical perspective. Applied Research in Quality of Life. doi:10.1007/s11482-018-9692-2
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. American Psychological
About the Author: Sandra Gut is a 2023 MAPP graduate from Buckinghamshire New University, currently working in the field of Cosmetic Science. She is passionate about character strengths, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. She advocates healing and personal growth, enjoys adventures around the world, and maintains a healthy lifestyle in the gym.