Advances in Resilience Psychology

Dear Colleagues,

Resilience involves responding to challenges in ways that foster adaptation and coping. Important early resilience research explored individual traits that were found to contribute to building resilience. Recent research in resilience has built upon these findings to explore how sociocultural contexts support resilience (Clauss-Ehlers, 2006, 2008). This research examines how larger systems can contribute to people overcoming hardships. For instance, how do communities, policies, schools, and families contribute to building resilience, both in individuals and within larger sociocultural contexts? Cultural and community resilience are two areas of this research field that have explored how cultural and community values can enhance coping and adaptability to challenges (Clauss-Ehlers, 2006, 2008). 

Understanding how to build resilience in cultural and community contexts is important and timely, given the impact of current global stressors and crises. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) indicates that, in just the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a 25% global increase in depression and anxiety. In another example, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that, at the end of 2022, 108.4 million people were forcibly displaced across the globe (UNHCR, n.d.). The UNHCR (n.d.) also found that, at the end of 2022, 76% of refugees were hosted by low- and middle-income countries. 

These staggering realities have mental health implications for individuals and communities, such as a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety, trauma, social isolation, social anxiety, substance-use disorders, loss, poverty, and a lack of support. Moreover, along with the exponential necessity for mental health services, nations are struggling to organize mental health service structures to meet their accompanying needs. This heightened demand, alongside a lack of infrastructure, underscores a call for greater cultural and community resilience interventions, psychosocial support, and policies that provide access to and awareness of mental health services among diverse communities across the world. 

This Special Issue on Advances in Resilience Psychology is committed to exploring community-based interventions, government programs, therapeutic techniques, teaching approaches, outreach, advocacy, education, social media considerations, school-based support, and community/governmental partnerships that can strengthen resilience from a broad sociocultural, community-based perspective. In so doing, this Special Issue seeks to address the complex global problems related to levels of resilience, including, but not limited to, poverty, trauma, immigration, forced displacement, healthcare/mental healthcare access, government reform, disempowerment, advocacy, prevention efforts, public policy, and freedom. Some questions for reflection when you consider submitting your work to the Special Issue on Advances in Resilience Psychology include, but are not limited to, the following:

    How can governments implement programs that support a mental health infrastructure? How will we know that these programs are effective?

    What local policies and programs are needed to support the mental health needs of community members? How can we ensure that community members are aware of the available programs and supports? 

    What are some examples of partnerships between mental health professionals and healthcare professionals that promote mental health intervention and prevention?

    How can outreach and advocacy promote resilience on both individual and community levels?

    How can communities and governments build multiculturally responsive interventions that meet the mental health needs of diverse populations? 

    What treatment advances are needed to foster resilience and produce positive mental health outcomes? 

The call for the Special Issue on Advances in Resilience Psychology seeks to publish diverse methodologies and ways of generating knowledge that include qualitative studies, quantitative studies, literature reviews, analyses of public programs and policies, narrative accounts, teaching approaches, case studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses, among other approaches.

References

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Yang, Y.T., & Chen, W.J. (2006). Resilience from childhood stressors: The role of cultural resilience, ethnic identity, and gender identity. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 5, 124-138. https://doi.org/10.2513/s15289168jicap0501_7

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2008). Sociocultural factors, resilience, and coping: Support for a culturally sensitive measure of resilience. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(3), 197-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2008.02.004

World Health Organization (2022, March 2). COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide: Wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support. https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-COVID-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (n.d.). Global Refugee Forum 2023: Global Refugee Forum delivers unity and action amid global crises. https://www.unhcr.org/us/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g5Z2exjjAGIA9_xEMGniY7ULDxexZptoIhSAV2pRnrpu2JyEd2hHG4aAiguEALw_wcB

• cultural resilience
• community resilience
• strength-based approach
• multicultural responsiveness
• cross-cultural counseling
• resilience-based interventions
• trauma-informed care
• public policy
• advocacy
• government support

Title: Exploring Factors that Contribute to Resilience among Sierra Leonean Women Post Conflict
Authors: Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith; Simge Huyal Genoc
Affiliation: The City College of New York, The City University of New York
Abstract: The Sierra Leonean civil war (1991-2002) had a profoundly negative impact on the country’s social and economic life. Although there have been many strides since, lingering aspects of the war continue to undermine women and girls in Sierra Leonean society. Post-conflict, females face new burdens, e.g., loss and breakdown of familial and communal support networks. This study examines factors that promote wellness in the face of varied stressors among Sierra Leonean women. A thorough understanding of these factors is fundamental to developing effective, culturally-informed interventions, promoting wellness, and thereby improving the quality of life of women and girls’ post-conflict.

Title: Cultivating Resilience: Personal and Professional Growth in Clinical Psychology
Authors: Elizabeth Jensen; Jane Clinger; Derek Scolpino
Affiliation: Long Island University, Brooklyn
Abstract: While much of psychology focuses on fostering resilience in clients, it is equally essential for those within the field to reflect on their ability to adapt and persevere through challenges. Psychological resilience is critical in supporting mental health professionals' emotional well-being and professional growth. By recognizing and learning from the strengths of their peers, clinicians can deepen connections and strengthen collaborative learning. Through individual experiences, this article aims to review resiliency within the psychology arena and will highlight how resilience has shaped students' clinical development and personal growth within a clinical psychology doctoral program. In sharing these insights, the article emphasizes the significance of resilience in navigating the journey toward licensure and fostering empathy within the professional community. Additionally, it underscores the importance of nurturing resilience in the next generation of psychologists as they confront the demands of their careers.