Resilience in children: A review of literature

label commonly used to refer to such children is resilient. This review of literature will examine what it is about these children that enable them to bounce right back from adversity, and what makes them immune to the factors that negatively affect others. More specifically, this review will examine protective factors that contribute to resilience. The literature has documented individual characteristics with an emphasis on traits, such as high intelligence and easy temperament as one set of such protective factors. Another set of protective factors includes family characteristics such as positive, involved, and supportive parenting, as well as external support from persons and institutions outside the child and the family, such as a positive school experience and involvement in extracurriculars. A cautionary note will also be made about the importance of avoiding the categorization of children as being either resilient or nonresilient. The consensus that prevails in the current research is that resilience is most accurately understood as a process rather than as a stable character trait. Finally, a chief defect in the literature on resilience will be addressed – namely, a methodological shortcoming in which the perspective of children has been completely disregarded. Abstract Resilience in children: A review of literature