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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.