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Resilience consists of a variety of factors that have an impact before , during and after a trauma exposure
Genetics factors
Before trauma exposure
During the exposure
After exposure
Long term reactions
PART III : THEORY
The population
Trauma stress
High symptom group
Low symptom group
Risk factors Protective factors
Christie and Waaktaar ( 2000 ) inspired by Dickstein , Suvak , Litz , and Adler ( 2010 ).
Resilience and risk factors
The following factors may help to protect a survivor from acquiring PTSD :
• She has access to social support ; being part of a group or community is essential .
• She is understood and accepted ; her responses are considered ‘ normal ’.
• She is able and willing to seek help .
• She receives useful help that assists her to solve problems .
• She has access to tips on coping .
• She has access to essential resources ( housing , jobs , money …).
• She is resourceful and has good problem-solving skills .
• She has higher education qualifications and , more generally , is intelligent .
• She elects to be a survivor rather than a victim . Unlike victims , survivors claim some control over their lives and to be able to assist others . Both reinforce self-esteem .
• She is able to cope with stress effectively and in a healthy manner .
• She has self-confidence and self-esteem ; she receives positive feedback from others .
• She believes “ I am in control of my destiny ” ( both “ my future ” and “ my emotions ”).
• She believes that outside agencies ( government , religious bodies , etc .) will help responsibly .
• She has a spiritual dimension to her life .
• She is able to find positive meaning in the trauma and the catastrophe .
• She is able to talk about the trauma to individuals who are close .
• Relationships – within and outside the family – are a particularly important factor , because they offer support but also trust . Personal factors that promote resilience include high self-esteem and self-confidence , and the ability to cope with ( strong ) emotions and to plan .