What does the term “resilience” refer to in psychology?

Resilience in psychology refers to the ability to recover from adversity, trauma, or significant sources of stress. It encompasses an individual's capacity to bounce back from difficult experiences and adapt positively to challenges. This concept is critical in understanding how people navigate and cope with life's hardships, indicating not only a return to baseline functioning but also the potential for personal growth and development following stress.

While other concepts like avoiding stressors, developing coping strategies, and the influence of social support on mental health are also important to psychological well-being, they do not encapsulate the essence of resilience. Resilience specifically emphasizes recovery and adaptation rather than merely avoiding challenges or focusing solely on external support systems. Thus, the ability to face difficulties and emerge stronger is the hallmark of resilience in psychological terms.