Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from stress and crisis. It is displayed in individuals as optimism, resourcefulness and determination. Individuals, families, and communities demonstrate resiliency when they building caring support systems and solve problems creatively. While individuals, families and communities each have unique coping capacities, together they form a dynamic support system.
Because individuals, families, and communities show resiliency in unique ways, there are not universal rules for success. Resiliency isn't simply the ability to cope with everyday stress. Because stress is inevitable, those who work hardest to escape it may be most vulnerable to its effects.Survival is one resiliency indicator. Confidence, hard work, cooperation and forgiveness are also long-term predictors of individual, family, and community well-being.
Resilient behavior is especially critical for the most vulnerable children and families. Today's societal challenges require education and service programs that help counteract the impact of poverty, illness, substance abuse, and violence. Prevention and early intervention efforts help build coping skills that can reduce the need for expensive, crisis-level services.