ABSTRACT
Resilience involves not only surviving but also thriving despite stressful circumstances, a phenomenon that has substantial effects on one’s emotions, convictions, and actions. Accumulated research has shown that some people are generally more resilient than others (Bonanno, 2004; Maddi & Khoshaba, 2001). Especially in our turbulent and, therefore, especially stressful times, it is essential to understand what makes some people more resilient than others and how this might guide developmental training for those who are less resilient. Important in this understanding is the research showing that a particular personality pattern of attitudes and strategies that has been called hardiness is a major pathway to resilience (Bonanno, 2004; Maddi, 1986, 1997, 1998a, 2002, 2004; Maddi, Harvey, Khoshaba, Fazel, & Resurreccion, 2009b; Maddi et al., 2006; Maddi & Khoshaba, 1994). This chapter emphasizes hardiness as the pathway to resilience, and the particular, ongoing effects of this on consumer behavior, other performance, perceived quality of life, and health.
