Resilience, the capacity to return to a previous state after physical or psychological strain is easy to define. However, it is more difficult to conceptualize, as it has been described as a trait, a process, and an outcome. In recent years there has been increasing interest in the confluence between resilience and attachment theory with the question as to whether attachment can be identified as ‘the common denominator of the characteristics that are commonly associated with resilient people and their developmental trajectory.’
How to Explore this?
Rasmussen et al (2019) were interested to explore the place secure attachment played as a key feature of resilience and a pre-requisite of positive adaptation to adversity. They conducted a review of the empirical literature to address this question. While many articles were identified, only empirical studies which included the terms attachment and resilience, and incorporated attachment as a potential factor of resilience were included, resulting in ten being suitable for quantitative meta-analysis. An additional thirty-three studies were reported on individually in a qualitative synthesis.
What Did They Find?
The findings are consistent with the literature, showing that secure attachment is significantly associated with resilient qualities. While the concept of resilience varies in different contexts, its origin appears to be uniform and consist of the two cornerstones of adversity and positive adaptation. It also appears that secure attachment may be the prerequisite in positive adaptation.
Other Interesting Observations
No evidence was found for the idea that resilience is an innate characteristic. Rather it should be understood as a ‘dynamic process moderated by internal and external factors and facilitated in the presence of strong and stable relationships with significant others.’
Another significant finding is that relationships beyond that of parent-child, for example teachers and peers, are also important in explaining attachment as a conduit to resilience.
In Conclusion
The work of these authors contributes to the ongoing research into attachment and its centrality to human experience and functioning in relationship and individually. It provides another strand to argue for protection of the youngest and most vulnerable, so they can grow into adults who weather the challenges that life delivers and nurture and defend the next generation. At every level, from the well-being of individuals to public health requirements, this makes good sense.
Rasmussen, P. Storebø, O., Løkkeholt,T. Voss.L., Shmueli-Goetz,Y., Bojesen, A., Simonsen, E., Bilenberg,N. (2019) Attachment as a Core Feature of Resilience: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Psychological Reports, Vol. 122(4) 1259–1296
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