title: [The relevance of the concept of resiliency in the field of psychiatry].
abstract: The concept of resilience refers to the capacity of certain individuals either to adapt successfully to adversity, or to function in a competent manner when faced with a traumatic situation. The concept of resilience represents a new paradigm in the field of clinical psychology. It puts into perspective determinist models, whether they be psychological (experiences incurred during the first years of life forever seal the destiny of a subject) or biological (an individual is defined by his/her genes). It permits the study of an individual according to his/her resources and no longer according to his/her faults. Nevertheless, for several years, resilience has suffered from its own success by being frequently used in inappropriate contexts. With the aim of better understanding this concept and of avoiding its determinist and normative distortion, we present here a review of the different factors (psychological, family, sociological and biological factors) contributing to the process of resilience. Moreover, in the discussion, we present some methodological and conceptual issues presented by the concept of resilience.
authors.affiliation: Services de Psychiatrie, C.H.U. Brugmann, Bruxelles.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fossion
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Linkowski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control