Five Factors that Contribute to Resilience
For survivors of childhood sexual abuse, developing resiliency is a learned skill. We may be adept in a few areas, but as children our brains were too young to cope with the overwhelming circumstances of abuse.
Research indicates there are at least five psychosocial factors that contribute to resiliency. These include an active coping style, a positive outlook, cognitive flexibility, social support, and spiritual influences.
Developing an active versus a passive coping style can be challenging for a CSA survivor who has difficulty creating healthy boundaries or tends to ruminate on unhealthy patterns of thought. Some keys to fostering active coping skills include being aware of our thoughts and reframing them, problem solving, facing personal fears, and exercising the ability to manage stress. For instance, as someone with an autoimmune disease, I’ve decided to leave my full-time teaching position to reduce my potential exposure to Covid-19. I could either tell you, “I had to leave my job and now I have to work from home” or “I chose to leave full-time teaching and now I get to work from home.” One approach is passive while the other is active.
Another key to becoming a more resilient individual is fostering optimism. According to Connor and Davidson who created the Resilience Scale (2003), resilient individuals are persistent and believe in their own ability to manage stressful situations. It is important to note, though, that optimism alone will not lead to resiliency. Instead, a person must be both optimistic and cognitively flexible. He or she can reevaluate the trauma experience and create meaning from it – to alter or change it in some way. This is frequently exemplified through different forms of altruism such as advocacy, speaking, or promoting reform at the local or state levels. Getting involved in a group such as NAASCA is one way to create meaning from past trauma.
Social support is imperative to resilience for several reasons. It reduces risk-taking behavior, encourages active coping skills, decreases loneliness, and has a positive impact on self-worth. As we’ve experienced global lockdowns, the importance of connection has become starkly clear. Please note the resources listed in the previous article if you need to connect with a therapist or other profes
People who maintain a spiritual component to their lives through prayer, meditation, or by attending a regular faith service are also more resilient. Researchers contend that spiritual involvement provides opportunities for growth after trauma by decreasing suffering, instilling hope, and promoting a sense of control.
Social scientists continue to explore healing and recovery from abuse and provide valuable insight, but it’s important we’re patient with ourselves in the process. Whatever your areas of strength, what is one step you can take today to become more resilient?
