ABSTRACT
This chapter considers social and environmental factors, with particular emphasis on assessment and interventions. Epidemiological surveys study the differential frequency of symptoms or disorders in different populations, the distribution on the same population, and any specific qualitative or quantitative differences in populations or groups under comparison. Resilience is the ability to recover from stress and adversity and to learn lessons from life's mistakes and mishaps. Psychological stress will appear when personal resources are inadequate to deal with outside circumstances. A sense of humour is also a useful feature in developing resilience, as well as increasing the “endorphins” that “heal the brain”. Cultural issues may also be part of a person's resilience. Culture, community, family and society dictate how people make sense of their lives. Religion and spirituality are important features in the lives of many people.
