Definitions of Resilience
Fundamentally, resilience refers to positive adaptation, or the ability to maintain or regain mental health, despite experiencing adversity. (...) However, no consensus on an operational definition exists. The central question is how some girls, boys, women, and men withstand adversity without developing negative physical or mental health outcomes.
The first differences in definitions centre on conceptualizing resilience as a personal trait, compared with a dynamic process. (...) Accordingly, the definition of resilience and resilience interventions expanded to become "protective and vulnerability forces at multiple levels of influence -- culture, community, family and the individual." Others investigators defined resilience yet more broadly as "the protective factors and processes or mechanisms that contribute to a good outcome, despite experiences with stressors shown to carry significant risk for developing psychopathology" or "an interactive concept that refers to relative resistance to environmental risks or overcoming stress or adversity" or "a dynamic process of positive adaptation in the context of significant adversity" or a "multi-dimensional characteristic that varies with context, time, age, gender and cultural origin, as well as within an individual subject to different life circumstances."
These definitions together acknowledge two points: various factors and systems contribute as an interactive dynamic process that increases resilience relative to adversity; and resilience may be context and time specific and may not be present across all life domains. Accordingly there are multiple sources and pathways to resilience, which often interact, including biological, psychological, and dispositional attributes, and social support and other attributes of social systems (family, school, friends, and community). Despite the lack of consensus on an operational definition of resilience, most definitions use similar domains as evidence of resilience.
Herrman, H., Stewart, D. E., Diaz-Granados, N., Berger, E. L., Jackson, B., & Yuen, T. (2011). What is resilience?. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(5), 258-265.
Identity refers to an existential position. to an inner organization of needs. abilities. and self-perceptions as well as to a sociopolitical stance.
>> In essence, identity is not just about self-awareness or personal traits but also about how an individual relates to society and how external factors shape their sense of self. This aligns with theories in psychology and sociology that view identity as both a personal and social construct.
Studying identity in adolescence is not a task for the methodologically hypersensitive.
>> In short, this statement warns that those who are overly focused on perfect methodology may struggle to capture the fluid and evolving nature of adolescent identity.
Identity has been called a "sense." an "attitude." a "resolution." and so on. I would like to propose another way of construing identity: as a self-structure - an internal. self-constructed. dynamic organization of drives. abilities. beliefs, and individual history
>> In essence, this definition views identity as a structured but evolving system within a person, shaped by both internal and external influences.
What is important about identity in adolescence. particularly late adolescence. is that this is the first time that physical development, cognitive skills, and social expectations coincide to enable young persons to son through and synthesize their childhood identifications in order to construct a viable pathway toward their adulthood.
>> In essence, late adolescence is when everything (body, mind, and social environment) aligns, making it an ideal time for deep identity exploration and commitment.
Resolution of the identity issue at adolescence guarantees only that one will be faced with subsequent identity "crises." A well-developed identity structure, like a well-developed superego. is flexible. It is open to changes in society and to changes in relationships.
>> In essence, identity is not a static achievement but a lifelong process of growth and adaptation.
This openness assures numerous reorganizations of identity contents throughout the "identityachieved" person's life, although the essential identity process remains the same. growing stronger through each crisis.
>> In essence, identity is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey of refinement and adaptation.
There are two clear advantages of the identity statuses as an approach to research on ego identity. The first is that they provide for a greater variety of styles in dealing with the identity issue than does Erikson's simple dichotomy of identity versus identity confusion. Secondly, there are both healthy and pathological aspects to each of the styles, save perhaps the Identity Achievement status. For example. Foreclosures may be seen either as steadfast or rigid, committed or dogmatic, cooperative or conforming;
>> Key Takeaways:
- Marcia’s identity statuses allow for a more flexible and detailed analysis of identity development compared to Erikson’s simple identity vs. confusion model.
- Identity formation is not just “achieved” or “confused”—people fall into different categories based on how much they have explored and committed.
- Each status (except achievement) has both healthy and unhealthy aspects, making it more realistic and applicable to human development.
1. Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory (1950, 1968)
Key Idea: Identity is a fundamental psychological milestone that influences personal development and resilience.
- Erikson proposed that identity formation is the central challenge of adolescence (Identity vs. Role Confusion stage).
- A strong sense of identity provides individuals with direction, confidence, and purpose.
- Those with an unclear identity (identity diffusion) are more likely to struggle with decision-making, motivation, and persistence.
Power of Identity: A well-established identity acts as a psychological anchor, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater certainty and motivation.
4. Identity-Based Motivation Theory (Oyserman, 2009)
Key Idea: Identity shapes how individuals interpret effort, obstacles, and future goals.
- People are more likely to persist when they see their goals as part of their identity.
- When effort is identity-congruent (aligned with one’s sense of self), challenges are seen as opportunities for growth rather than failures.
- If identity is weak or unstable, motivation is fragile, and setbacks may be perceived as signs of personal inadequacy.
Power of Identity: A strong identity fuels motivation and resilience because goals feel deeply personal.
5. Narrative Identity Theory (McAdams, 1993, 2001)
Key Idea: Identity is a coherent life story that gives meaning to experiences.
- Identity is shaped through the personal narratives we construct about our past, present, and future.
- Individuals with a strong life narrative are better at coping with adversity and staying committed to their goals.
- A fragmented or incoherent identity results in emotional distress, self-doubt, and indecisiveness.
Power of Identity: When people see their lives as meaningful stories, they persist through adversity because they view setbacks as necessary parts of their journey.
7. Identity Process Theory (Breakwell, 1986)
Key Idea: Identity is constantly evolving, adapting to new experiences and threats.
- Identity must balance stability (continuity) and change (adaptability).
- Individuals protect their identity from threats using coping strategies (e.g., reframing failure, adjusting goals).
- Identity is driven by six motivational principles:
Continuity (stability over time)
Distinctiveness (feeling unique)
Self-Efficacy (sense of control)
Self-Esteem (positive self-evaluation)
Belonging (social connectedness)
Meaning (finding purpose in life)
Power of Identity: People with a strong, adaptive identity are better at handling change and overcoming difficulties.
박선웅, 박예린 / 불확실한 정체성과 낮은 심리적 안녕감 간의 관계에서 물질주의의 매개효과
개인적 정체성이란 자기 자신이 누구인지에 대한 개인의 주관적인 믿음을 가리킨다.
정체성이란 자신에 대한 이해를 바탕으로, 즉 자신에게 중요한 것이 무엇인지 자신에게 의미 있는 일이 무엇인지에 대한 이해를 바탕으로 자신의 삶의 방향에 대해 결단을 내린 정도를 일컫는다 (Berzonsky, 2003; Levin, 2003; Waterman, 1984). 정체성이 확실하게 형성된 사람들은 자신에게 중요한 가치가 무엇인지를 기반으로 가치판단에 대한 내적 기준을 마련하고 그를 바탕으로 삶의 방향을 설정했기 때문에, 가치 혼란을 덜 경험하고 자신이 원하는 삶을 살 수 있다는 유능성 또한 높을 것이다. 또 삶에서 의미 있는 일이 무엇인지 발견했기 때문에 자신에 대해서도 긍정적인 태도를 가져 높은 자존감을 유지할 수 있다. 나아가 정체성은 자신에 대한 이해를 바탕으로 형성되기 때문에 이들의 자기개념은 대체로 확실하게 정립되어 있을 가능성이 높다. (...)
정체성이라는 개념을 심리학의 연구주제로 부각시킨 것은 Erikson (1950) 이지만, 정체성에 대한 경험적인 연구를 시작한 것은 Marcia (1966) 이다. Marcia (1966) 는 정체성 형성 과정에서 탐색 (exploration) 과 전념 (commitment) 을 구분하였다.
1) 탐색이란 자신이 어떤 사람이고, 자신에게 중요한 것은 무엇인지 여러 경험을 통해서 살피는 과정
2) 전념이란 이러한 물음들에 대해 특정한 답을 내린 상태
이 두 변인의 조합을 통해 네 가지의 정체성 지위 (identity status) 가 가능하다. 정체성 혼미 (identity diffusion) 는 탐색도 전념도 없는 상태, 정체성 폐쇄(foreclosure) 는 탐색은 없으나 전념은 있는 상태, 정체성 유예 (moratorium) 는 탐색은 진행되고 있으나 전념이 없는 상태, 정체성 획득 (identity achievement)
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