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Resilience in Couples: A View of the Landscape

  • Chapter
Couple Resilience

Abstract

This chapter examines couple resilience from a relational, integrative and process perspective. Relational resilience is conceptualized as a dynamic process qualitatively different than the sum of individual partner resilience. It is hypothesized to reflect the “we-ness” of a couple: the ongoing interplay between self, other, and relationship awareness. Key components are suggested to be (1) self/other and relationship awareness and the development of empathy and respect; (2) mutual vulnerability; (3) the joint creation of meaning, (4) skill sets to support relational positivity, and (5) the reintegration of relational wisdom gleaned from dealing with relational challenges. Implications for future research, relationship enhancement and therapeutic work with couples are suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Affiliate, The Family Institute/Center for Applied Psychological Study at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Karen Skerrett

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  1. Karen Skerrett
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Correspondence to Karen Skerrett .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ctr. for Applied Psychol. Study at Northwestern Univ., The Family Institute/, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Karen Skerrett

  2. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Karen Fergus

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Skerrett, K. (2015). Resilience in Couples: A View of the Landscape. In: Skerrett, K., Fergus, K. (eds) Couple Resilience. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9909-6_1

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