Some individuals not only survive trauma, negative events and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, they also grow and develop from these experiences. They possess what some mental health professionals call psychological resiliency or psychological hardiness.
Studies indicate that psychologically resilient/psychologically hardy adults deal more effectively with stress than do non-resilient/hardy adults. Many authorities on aging feel that coping and dealing with stress in a positive manner plays a major role in slowing down the process of aging.
These resilient/hardy adults feel that their efforts will influence the outcome of the objectives that they are pursuing. They are committed to the important things in their lives such as jobs, families, and health. A spiritual connectedness is observed in the majority of these individuals. Rather than feeling threatened, psychologically resilient/hardy adults are challenged by change and are generally free from pervasive distrust, cynicism, and hostility. These same individuals are optimistic, flexible and have the ability to deflect unwarranted criticism.
One of the chief challenges impacting older adults is the ability to deal with loss. When a person reaches the age of 80 or 90, many, if not most, of their family and friends have died. The trauma of these losses is illustrated by the fact that the death rate in the first year following the loss of the spouse is extremely high in older people. Those individuals who have adopted strategies for coping with this loss can adapt and move on with their lives. Stress associated with loss in later life can also come from the change in family situations and/or changes in social and career roles in the advent of chronic illness with its limitations on daily activities.
Older “copers” are often able to decrease the number of things that concerned them in their younger years. They have adopted an attitude which includes the concept of “I’ve been there, done that and I’ll let somebody else worry about those things now.” Due to this shift in priorities, older “copers” don’t feel the need to exert control over the myriad of details, activities and events that drove them earlier in life. Resilient/hardy older adults have developed and applied specific problem-solving skills. They are able to define the
“important” things and deal effectively with these issues. These same resilient/hardy “copers” are often seen as being more tolerant in accepting others. They tend to manage their moods well, are even tempered and strive for self-reliance when possible. They are willing to accept help but resist being overly dependent on others.
Psychological resiliency/hardiness seems to inoculate the individual to some degree from the effects of aging and should be added to the other list of health preservatives such as a healthy diet, exercise, and the absence of substance abuse such as tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2002
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