Werner and smith’s research had a profound impact on the concept of resilience. They conducted a longitudinal study focusing on children in Hawaii born in 1955 , who grew up in poverty or were exposed to others adverse conditions such as divorce. Alcoholism or mental illness. They examined the long term impact of these adverse influences on individuals adaptation to life. Psychologists, pediatricians, social worker and public health nurse were involved in monitoring the children from infancy to adulthood. A notable finding of the study was that many of the children developed serious problems as adolescents but were able to turn their lives around and develop into caring and functional adults. These investigators also found that both internal and external factors can strengthen young people and their response to adversity. These internal factors include personality, advanced motor and language skills and ‘self help skills’