Resilience in response to life stress : the effects of coping style and cognitive hardiness on the psychological health of mature age students

This review evaluates the literature concerning individual differences in response to adverse life events, with a particular focus on the factors and mechanisms that may be protective or buffer an individual against the negative effects of life stress. The review examines gender and life span differences in the life stress/psychological and physical health equation, and examines the role of turning points in changing adaptational trajectories in life. It is argued that research should focus on protective mechanisms which may be developed through successful engagement with adversity, rather than on protective factors, which are more likely to be a 'given' and not open to change. It is argued that protective mechanisms (such as coping style) are processes amenable to intervention, and that their study can extend our knowledge of the promotion of resilience. The review focusses on three possible protective mechanisms: coping style, cognitive hardiness and explanatory style, and the two models which have been suggested to test such variables: the main and buffer effects models. Finally, implications for clinical and educational intervention are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research concerning the promotion of resilient outcomes.