Concept Of Resilience Essay

Introduction The concept of resilience is the ability to cope with unexpected changes and challenges in your life (mindhealthconnect, 2015). This concept focuses around the idea that an individual will use their individual strengths to overcome the obstacles through the factors that contribute to resilience. However there are many differing theories created to the concept of resilience. Within this essay i will discuss what the concept of resilience while also detailing the overall factors that contribute to resilience in relation to both healthcare consumers and health professionals.

Paragraph 1 Concept of resilience The concept of resilience is a characteristic brought upon individuals where they are followed by adversity. The concept is based on the understanding one must develop resilient behaviours to assist in coping followed by adversity. This concept however brought many differing opinions between researchers on how resilience is developed or brought upon an individual. Within the early studies of resilience, children were the main focus of the research.

This research was to understand how problems during childhood could be prevented and identify how to improve the concept of resilience Garmezy 1993 believed the study of resilience was brought about and focused on risk and protective factors. He believed the protective factors prepares an individual to be able to cope while risk factors prevent an individual to cope well. The protective and risk factors that could prepare an individual are based on an individual’s biological, psychological, social and cultural factors.

For example a person’s protective factor may be psychological self esteem while their social protective factor may be the support of family members. The risk factors that could prevent an individual to cope with adversity could be the social factor with lack of family and social support networks. Also a person’s psychological well being may be decreased with no self confidence or self esteem. Therefore Garmezy argued that resilience was brought about by risk and protective factors.

Similarly to Garmezy 1993 theory Michael Rutter conducted a theory that resilience is an interactive concept that is concerned with the combination of serious risk experiences and a relatively positive psychological outcome despite those experiences. (rutter, 2006). His definition of resilience outlines how some individuals who suffer the same experience will adapt better than others when experiencing adversities. In defining the concept of resilience it may be seen as either a trait, process or outcome of a situation.

Dr Steven Southwick says resilience may change overtime as a function of development and one’s interaction with the environment (Kim Cohen, Turkewitz 2012). In this case resilience may be a process that may be undertaken but is not a trait in someone. For example a two children will develop resilience factors while growing up. However overtime as they are exposed to new stress and adversities both two will respond differently to the adversity. This is as resilience isn’t a trait someone is born with, everyone may be resilient or less resilient within themselves.

Paragraph 2 health care consumers Within the healthcare environment the concept of resilience is highly important for healthcare consumers. When a consumer may come into healthcare department they will mostly be overwhelmed with stress and may be struggling to cope. The factors that can contribute to resilience for healthcare consumers can include support networks, positive bonds, self esteem and self efficiency. Health professionals As a healthcare professional within their career they are exposed to various challenges.

Upon an adversity faced health professionals need a coping mechanism. This is as they need to be able to overcome the obstacles they will face during their career to effectively carry out their job. The factors that can contribute to resilience are as self awareness, empathy, self esteem and self determination. As a health professional of a nurse they will come across breaking difficult news, death, loss. In dealing with these issues it is essential nurses are able to cope while undertaking their job.

The factor of self awareness is important to have as it allows individual to develop and reflect from experience as well as to identify obstacles that may prevent the care they provide for patients. For example a nurse may be taking care of a cancer patient within their ward. However within the nurses personal life her mother died from cancer. This situation may hinder the professionalism of the nurse. Self awareness however can be used so the nurse limits her personal life interfering with her work. This as the nurse is able to self aware the situation to avoid the connection.

The factor of self esteem is an important resilience factor. Self esteem influences how one will approach a situation. Self esteem is defined as the individual’s perception of themselves (randle, 2003 p. 396). How a nurse conducts and perceives themselves within the healthcare environment is very important. This is an important factor as it allows confidence and empowerment in oneself and provides a role model for patients. When an adversity is faced the resilience factor of self esteem allows an individual’s self to overcome the situation as they have a positive view.

Self determination is an important factor that contributes to resilience. Self determination is where an individual is free to make their own decisions and control their own life. Self determination is important as despite a difficult situation that is faced an individual will be able to move beyond the barrier. This is as they can encompasses their own direction and use their inner strength to persist. Therefore the factors that contribute to resilience for healthcare professionals is highly important within the healthcare environment. This is as these factors allow individuals to overcome barriers and move towards resilience.