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In today's dynamically changing world, we increasingly encounter the term "resilience." This concept is widely applicable, from individuals and communities to entire organizations and nations. But what exactly does this term mean, whom does it concern, and how can it be effectively supported? In this article, we will look at the meaning of resilience, ways to build it, and examples of good practice. The term resilience emerged from long-term research on children who grew up in highly adverse conditions, yet their development was not negatively affected. It explains why, for example, some American immigrant families fared better than others, even though they initially faced serious problems. As an example, we can cite the so-called Boat People, war refugees from Vietnam, who in the 1970s and 1980s settled relatively quickly in North America. Scientists studied how they managed this despite their difficult situation. Later, this term was also adopted by other fields. Experts studying resilience, like Antonovsky, describe what qualities (e.g., adaptability, diligence, self-confidence) help a person cope with various life situations1. The first studies on resilience emerged primarily in psychology (Emmy Werner) 2 and ecology (C. S. Holling) 3. Subsequently, the concept spread to sociology, economics, and organizational management, with each field bringing new insights and perspectives. Today, resilience is an interdisciplinary concept applied in all areas of life – from individuals to global systems. Resilience is defined as the ability of an individual, group, or system to adapt to changes, recover from shocks and crises, and use them as an opportunity for growth. It comes from the Latin word resilire, which means "to bounce back" or "to recover." In psychology, the term resilience is used to denote the ability to cope with stress and trauma. In sociology or ecology, it denotes the ability of systems to restore balance after disruption.

Resilience has several dimensions:

  • Individual resilience: A person's personal ability to face stress and life challenges.
  • Community resilience: The way communities collaborate to overcome crises such as natural disasters or economic shocks.
  • Organizational resilience: The resilience of organizations to changes such as technological developments or market shifts.
  • Environmental resilience: The ability of ecosystems to adapt to climate change or other environmental stressors.

Resilience concerns everyone. In the context of the individual, it helps manage daily challenges, health issues, or work-related stress. For organizations, it is essential for survival during crises such as economic recessions or supply chain disruptions. Communities and entire societies need resilience to cope with disasters such as floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, or conflicts.

1. Individual Level

The individual level involves understanding one's own emotions and reactions to stress. An important part of building supportive relationships is social support, which is key to managing challenges. Balance between work and rest prevents burnout syndrome. Clear goal setting provides motivation and direction. The topic of resilience has its roots in psychology and ecology, with the first professional research appearing in the second half of the 20th century. Here is an overview of the pioneers who laid the foundations for the study of individual resilience. In the field of psychology, one of the first experts on the topic of resilience was Emmy Werner, an American researcher who in the 1950s conducted a long-term longitudinal study of children on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Werner followed more than 700 children over four decades and identified factors that enabled some children to thrive despite growing up in adverse conditions such as poverty, abuse, or neglect. She described these children as "resilient." Werner's main contribution is that she emphasizes the importance of protective factors, such as positive relationships and support from the community or family. 4

Examples of the most prominent figures of individual resilience in the world: Nelson Mandela is an icon of resilience, a human rights activist and the first black president of the Republic of South Africa, who faced enormous challenges throughout his life. Despite this, he remained true to his values and became a symbol of resilience and hope. Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his political beliefs and his fight against apartheid, a system of racial segregation in South Africa. Despite the harsh conditions, he maintained his mental strength and refused any compromise that would betray his principles. After his release in 1990, he did not call for revenge against his oppressors but instead became a symbol of reconciliation. As president from 1994, Mandela promoted peaceful coexistence among different races, thereby preventing a possible civil war. During his imprisonment, Mandela regularly exercised, read, and educated himself, thereby maintaining his mental and physical strength. This discipline helped him cope with years of isolation. His famous statement, "It does not matter how deep you fall, but how high you can bounce back," perfectly captures the essence of resilience. Mandela remains one of the most respected figures in the world and a symbol that even individuals can overcome the greatest obstacles and become catalysts for global change. 5 Viktor Frankl: A psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor whose work "Man's Search for Meaning" inspires millions of people to find hope in the most difficult situations. 6 Oprah Winfrey overcame poverty and childhood trauma to become one of the most influential women in the world. 7 Malala Yousafzai is an icon of courage and resilience. Originally from Pakistan, she grew up in a region controlled by the Taliban, where girls were systematically denied access to education. Despite the risk, as a child she decided to stand up against oppression and openly advocated for girls' right to education. In 2012, at just 15 years old, Malala was the target of an assassination attempt. The Taliban attacked her because she openly criticized their regime. After the attack, Malala became the global face of the fight for girls' rights. In 2014, at the age of 17, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Her work continues through the Malala Fund, an organization that supports girls' education worldwide. Malala presents herself not merely as a victim of violence, but as a leader and visionary who proves that an individual's voice can have enormous impact. She continually speaks at international forums, despite still facing threats from radicals. Her vision of a better world is based on the belief that education is a fundamental right and the best tool for fighting poverty, inequality, and extremism. 8 Marie Curie-Skłodowska was a scientist who overcame prejudices against women in the field of science and won two Nobel Prizes for her work. Marie Curie-Skłodowska, a French physicist and chemist of Polish origin, was honored twice. She first won the prize in 1903 in physics for her research on radioactivity together with her husband Pierre Curie. She received her second award in 1911 in chemistry for the discovery of two elements, radium and polonium. 9

2. Community Level

Cooperation and solidarity are characteristic of communities that rely on mutual assistance and cope better with crisis situations. Also sharing resources, as exemplified by community gardens or shared economic projects. One of the most prominent examples of individual resilience that inspires other cultures and ethnic groups are the Indigenous peoples of North America – Native American tribes (e.g., Navajo, Cherokee, Lakota, and others). Their culture, history, and way of life show how one can preserve identity, adapt to adverse conditions, and build resilience against injustice and hostile external influences.

Examples of Individual Resilience

Navajo (Diné) - This tribe survived a period of forced relocation known as the Long Walk in the 19th century, when thousands of Navajo were deported from their ancestral lands. Despite this traumatic experience, they preserved their culture and today are one of the largest and most influential Indigenous tribes in the United States. Their language was even used during World War II as an unbreakable code (Navajo Code Talkers). 10

Inuit (Eskimo ethnic group) - The Inuit, who live in the harsh conditions of the Arctic, are a symbol of physical and mental resilience. Despite climate change and modern interventions in their traditional way of life, they adapt to the modern world while maintaining traditional customs such as hunting and crafts. 11

Maori in New Zealand - The Maori, Indigenous people of New Zealand, managed to overcome a period of colonization and marginalization. Today, their cultural traditions (haka, moko tattoo, language) are a model of resilience and inspire the world with their strength to restore language and identity. 12 Their example is universal – it shows that even in the most difficult situations, people can maintain dignity, adapt, and remain true to their values.

Education and awareness in risk management at the societal level began to be systematically studied from the 1980s and 1990s. Pioneers in this area included: Ann S. Masten – a prominent researcher in child development who used the concept of "ordinary magic" to describe resilience as a common phenomenon arising from support and relationships. 13 Fran H. Norris and her colleagues studied community resilience as a set of capacities that enable communities to manage disasters, withstand shocks, and restore social and economic balance. 14

One of the best communities that serves as an example of resilience is the Jewish community. This community has endured centuries of persecution, migration, and genocide, yet managed to preserve its identity, culture, and prosperity. Their example shows how a strong community, deep traditions, and an emphasis on education can help overcome even the most difficult challenges. The Jewish community is deeply connected to religious traditions and values. Practices such as Shabbat, observance of holidays, and study of the Torah strengthen the sense of belonging and identity. Despite being dispersed throughout the world, their culture has remained strong and interconnected. Since ancient times, Jews have placed great emphasis on education and intellectual development. Schools and study are the foundation of the community, allowing its members to adapt to various social and economic conditions while maintaining their identity. Jewish communities emphasize mutual assistance. Philanthropic organizations, local support structures, and care for the most vulnerable members ensure stability even in times of crisis. Throughout history, Jews have been forced to migrate to new countries, facing assimilation and discrimination. Yet this community has always found a way to build a new home and adapt while retaining its traditions. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the subsequent diaspora, the Jewish community managed to survive without a centralized place and maintain its identity in different parts of the world. The Holocaust during World War II was one of the darkest chapters in human history. Despite systematic extermination, Jews not only survived but also rebuilt their communities, including the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Today, Jewish communities thrive around the world and are known for their contributions to science, art, politics, and business. The Jewish community is proof that collective resilience can overcome even the most extreme challenges and ensure prosperity for future generations. 15

3. Organizational Level

Creating scenarios for unexpected situations. Describes innovation and flexibility as a means of adapting to new technologies or trends. Employee well-being is directly linked to the mental health of employees, which directly affects the company's resilience. In the economic and organizational context, resilience began to gain popularity in recent decades due to globalization and more frequent crises (for example, the 2008 financial crisis). One of the key authors was Andrew Zolli, who in his book Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back (2012) describes how companies and organizations can prevent collapse and adapt to unpredictable changes. 16

4. Environmental Level

Renewable resources help reduce dependence on unsustainable practices. It sees solutions in building green infrastructure to manage climate change. In the field of ecology, the concept of resilience received greater attention from the 1970s thanks to the work of Crawford S. Holling, a Canadian ecologist. In 1973, Holling published the article Resilience and Stability of Ecological Systems, where he defined resilience as the ability of ecosystems to recover after disturbance and adapt to changes. His work significantly influenced the development of ecology and led to the emergence of the concept of social-ecological systems. Holling's main contribution is the introduction of the idea that stability and resilience are not the same – resilience is more about the ability to adapt to change than about maintaining an unchanging state17.

Examples of Good Practice: Sweden is considered a recycling society. Sweden has achieved near-zero waste thanks to a high degree of recycling and support for sustainable practices. This model is a demonstration of environmental resilience. Iceland is known for its recovery after the financial crisis. After the collapse of the banking sector in 2008, Iceland managed to revive its economy through reforms, transparency, and support for domestic entrepreneurs.

Japan is famous for its earthquake preparedness. Japanese communities are known for a high level of disaster preparedness, which includes education, simulations, and an early warning system18.

Resilience is a fundamental ability that allows us not only to survive but also to thrive in difficult times. Building resilience requires a systematic approach, collaboration, and long-term planning. Whether it concerns an individual, community, or an entire society, resilience to change is the path to a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Resilient people maintain their mental balance despite failures and continue to develop. They have learned to approach problems offensively and are open to new challenges. They do not seek unnecessary risks, but in crisis situations they usually hold their ground. They can admit failure and defeat and try to learn from them. However, they are not perfect either. They too have their fears and doubts; they just do not succumb to them as much. Among other things, conscious correlations help them with this, allowing them to approach life situations positively and always find some solutions. Do you want to know how to best deal with your workload? Imagine you are exposed to the effects of some stressor. An initial assessment of the situation will follow. You evaluate how dangerous it is for you and what exactly it entails. In the next phase, you assess to what extent you are capable of dealing with it (e.g., your coping techniques) and what defensive resources you have at your disposal (e.g., your conscious correlations). You consider whether you can handle the problem or whether it is beyond your strength. Then you begin to act, applying your coping strategy. The more coping skills you have, the more burdens you can handle19. Average people think about the past, about who can be blamed for what. Successful people think about the future and accept responsibility. Instead of complaining and criticizing, they take action. So the antidote to negative thinking is to accept responsibility — it is within my power, I have it under control. This approach will help you eliminate stress and pressure in life more than anything else. When you wake up in the morning, you should be able to say: I am not angry at anyone in the world, and no one is bothering me. I feel positivity toward everyone in the world. It is possible that someone has hurt me in life, but I will forget about it. That belongs to the past; I cannot change it. I have a choice — I can be happy, or very happy. So I will be very happy. Do not worry about what might happen in the distant future. 95% of the things we worry about never happen, and the 5% of things that do happen to us in life are usually things we did not even have time to worry about. Let us stop being angry about the past and focus on solving problems. Always think about what we can do. What solution lies before us, what will be the next step we take. The best remedy for stress and pressure is activity. Let us start focusing on activity, let us do it now. Always ask ourselves, what next, what will we do next, and then we will be so busy and have so many tasks that we will not have time to worry. Often we are in a situation where we were very worried about something, and suddenly we had so much work that we forgot to worry, or we did not have time to worry, and then we simply found at the end of the day that we did not have time to worry, we forgot about it. We did not add any log to that fire of worry. We should quickly start worrying, or rather add a log to the fire, because the fire of our worry is going out. So let us do that. So much work awaits us in managing other activities that we will simply stop worrying20.

Poor people often exhibit a higher level of resilience for several reasons related to their daily experiences, social bonds, and ability to adapt to adverse conditions. Their resilience is the result of a combination of external and internal factors that force them to find solutions where resources are lacking. Poor people are often exposed to daily challenges such as financial insecurity, limited access to basic resources, and the necessity of handling unpredictable situations. For many poor people, resilience is not a choice but a necessity. The lack of alternatives leads them to learn to cope with stress, failure, and crises more effectively than people who have more resources and opportunities. The resilience paradox - While poor people may be more resilient in the short term, their resources for long-term recovery or improvement of their life situation are limited. Their resilience is often admirable, yet not ideal, because their resilience stems from a system that simultaneously keeps them in a vulnerable position.

Wealthy people can use their resources for quick problem-solving, which means they less frequently encounter long-term stress or difficulties. Finances allow them to delegate problem-solving to others (e.g., lawyers, advisors, employees...). Wealthy people may have the means to manage crises, but a lack of experience with long-term hardships, dependence on external resources, and isolation often make them less resilient to emotional, social, and practical challenges. Resilience requires more than just resources – it is a combination of skills, experience, and support that wealth alone does not provide.

CONCLUSION

Positive thinking is a habit you develop and it becomes natural. Remember that your brain is not something fixed and solid, like concrete. Our brain, our mind, is something like a plastic material that we can reshape. If we want to train our mind, it can be done very simply. We start tuning into positive thinking, and the brain adapts to this new way. We have already talked about blaming others. This behavior causes anger, so stop blaming others and you will stop being angry yourself. Take politics, for example. Some political philosophies are based on blaming others. If you cannot blame someone, then basically that forms the core of the philosophy.

Author: PhDr. Lívia Katona PhD.

References:

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