Key takeaways
- Research on psychological resilience holds significant promise for promoting both physical and mental health.
- While disability claims and return to work offer immediate opportunities for applying psychological resilience research, challenges remain for implementing risk stratification applications.
- Moving forward, psychological resilience is a field of research the industry should follow closely and support in anticipation of possibilities yet to be uncovered.
A proliferation of research on psychological resilience and its positive effect on coping with stress and health outcomes has brought new attention to this area of personal wellbeing. Despite all the excitement, potential, and promise, applying psychological resilience research to the risk-stratification process will require more analysis.
In contrast, the available research suggests a number of practical applications in the context of claims management. These opportunities are immediate and could provide further longitudinal data to better support insurance processes. This paper reviews psychological resilience research, highlights current challenges, and outlines a path forward for disability claims management and return to work.
The promise and potential
Psychological resilience is generally defined as the ability to adapt, recover, or bounce back from adversity, stress, or challenging life events. It refers to an individual’s capacity to maintain or regain mental wellbeing after facing difficulties such as trauma, illness, loss, or prolonged stress.1, 2, 3
Resilience is often viewed as a dynamic process, influenced by internal factors (e.g., personality traits, cognitive abilities) and external factors (e.g., social support, environmental context). It is not a fixed trait but can change over time and in response to different life situations.4, 5, 6, 7
Promoting physical and mental health
Research on psychological resilience holds significant promise for promoting both physical and mental health, as resilience is increasingly recognized as a key factor in helping individuals adapt to adversity, maintain wellbeing, and recover from stress and illness.
10 ways resilience can improve physical and mental health:
- Promoting psychological wellbeing
- Reducing levels of depression
- Alleviating anxiety
- Mitigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Promoting mental health in children and adolescents
- Limiting the physical impacts of stress
- Improving recovery from illness
- Enhancing health-promoting behaviors
- Reducing the burden of chronic disease
- Fostering healthy aging
1. Promoting psychological wellbeing
Extensive research has focused on the relationship between psychological resilience and mental health, with resilience often viewed as a protective factor that buffers against the development of mental health disorders and enhances overall psychological wellbeing. Resilience helps individuals cope with emotional challenges, reducing the likelihood of developing common mental health disorders. Resilience promotes adaptive coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, and positive reframing of stressful situations, which mitigates the psychological impact of adversity.8-18
Studies demonstrate that resilience is associated with lower levels of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, even in individuals facing significant stressors such as trauma, illness, or life transitions. Resilience can buffer against the development of mental health disorders and their negative impact on psychological wellbeing, as well as physical health. For example, a study of older adults found that those with higher psychological resilience had lower mortality rates, even after accounting for depressive symptoms and physical health status.19, 20
2. Reducing levels of depression
Psychological resilience is linked to lower vulnerability to developing major depressive disorder (MDD). Resilience is inversely related to the severity and onset of depressive symptoms. Individuals with high resilience are better equipped to manage stress and negative emotions, which reduces the likelihood of experiencing chronic or severe depression. Studies also suggest that resilient individuals are more likely to engage in adaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., problem-solving, seeking social support), rather than maladaptive ones (e.g., avoidance, rumination), leading to better mental health outcomes. For example, one study found that resilience was significantly associated with lower levels of emotional distress and depressive symptoms among cancer patients, emphasizing its protective role in mental health.21, 22
Resilience appears to influence how well individuals respond to treatments for depression, such as psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy. Patients with higher resilience tend to have better treatment adherence, are more engaged in therapeutic processes, and may experience more rapid or sustained recovery. This is particularly relevant in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where resilience can facilitate the cognitive restructuring required to combat depressive thinking patterns.22-26
Resilience is believed to play a key role in reducing the likelihood of depression relapse or recurrence, which is a common issue in MDD. Resilient individuals may have stronger coping strategies and social supports that protect against the cyclical nature of depression. This capacity to “bounce back” after an initial depressive episode could reduce long-term recurrence rates.27-28
Resilience may also help buffer against the impact of comorbid conditions that often accompany MDD, such as anxiety disorders, substance abuse, or chronic physical health problems. Research indicates that higher resilience levels may reduce the negative impact of these comorbidities, potentially leading to better overall mental health outcomes.25, 29, 30
3. Alleviating anxiety
Resilience has also been shown to reduce the impact of anxiety. Resilient individuals tend to have better emotional regulation and are more likely to appraise stressful situations as manageable, which reduces the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders. Additionally, resilience enhances one’s ability to face uncertainty and challenges without becoming overwhelmed. For example, a study found that resilience is linked to a more adaptive response to threat, reducing the likelihood of anxiety-related symptoms.8, 31-33
4. Mitigating post-traumatic stress disorder
Resilience is a critical factor in preventing or mitigating the development of PTSD after traumatic experiences. Research suggests that resilient individuals are better able to process trauma, manage intrusive thoughts, and engage in positive coping strategies. For those who do develop PTSD, resilience is associated with quicker recovery and fewer long-term psychological consequences. For example, investigations into trauma and resilience have found that the majority of individuals exposed to trauma do not develop PTSD, and resilience factors such as optimism, emotional regulation, and social support play a crucial role in this outcome.3, 34
5. Promoting mental health in children and adolescents
Resilience is especially important for young people, as childhood and adolescence are critical periods for mental health development. Research shows that resilient children and adolescents are less likely to develop mental health disorders, even when exposed to stressors such as family conflict, poverty, or bullying. Interventions that promote resilience in youth – such as fostering self-esteem, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills – are associated with better mental health outcomes later in life. For example, a landmark study showed that resilient adolescents from high-risk environments were more likely to achieve positive mental health outcomes than their peers with lower resilience.13, 35, 36