The Definition of Resilience
Resilience is a word that is often heard these days. It has even been used to refer to pantyhose. However, if you would like to use the term as a professional, you are probably wondering what it really means. Is it bouncing back? Is it a steeling process? Is it a personality type? What exactly does this word mean? When I hear a professional use it or if I myself use it, to what exactly is it referring?
When resilience research is being conducted or referred to, an operational definition is probably being used. For example, educational resilience is a certain grade point average and ratings of social competence. On the other hand, resilience in an AIDS or cancer patient is staying alive. Additionally, for the cancer patient it could mean staying in remission.
But what about an overall definition of resilience? What does the term mean in general? Over the last few years, some researchers on the topic have tried to capture the true essence of the word.