Abstract
The experience of adversity has been considered to be critical to the development of resilience; and generally humans have the ability to adapt in the face of adversity. Older adults are likely to have experienced adversity throughout their life course, so their capacity to adapt has been well tested. Like coping ‘resilience involves using behaviors, thoughts, and actions that individuals can learn and develop’ (Resnick, 2014, p. 157).
You learn to deal with negativity. You can’t just ‘put on dolphin music and be in la la land’. You have to confront setbacks and work through them. (Jackie, cancer survivor)
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Frydenberg, E. (2017). Stress Resilience and Ageing. In: Coping and the Challenge of Resilience. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-56924-0_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-56924-0_7
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