title: Using cognitive behaviour therapy to explore resilience in the life-stories of 16 UK centenarians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2010, we interviewed 16 UK centenarians about their lives and later published a paper on the socio-emotional aspects of positive ageing. We were struck by their ability to 'move on' from difficult situations which we recognized conceptually as 'resilience'. In the effort to understand aspects of resilience as portrayed in their stories, we re-examined their data.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the original study, we used participatory action research (PAR) for its storytelling and group process components. Here, we re-examine data from the centenarians' life stories using a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) lens.
  
  
  METHODS
  We focused on the notion of resilience in the centenarians' stories guided by CBT insights to analyse and develop psychosocial interpretations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Resilience comprised the ability to frame difficult life events in positive terms, accept what cannot be changed, manage worry and anxiety effectively, develop psychological flexibility in the face of change and continually seek opportunities for growth and development. We suggest that these resilient behaviours may have contributed to positive ageing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health & Learning Disabilities School of Health and Social Care London South Bank University 103 Borough Road London SE1 0AA UK.
authors.forename: Nimmi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hutnik
authors.affiliation: Nursing Studies School of Health in Social Science The University of Edinburgh Doorway 6 Medical Quad Teviot Place Edinburgh EH8 9AG UK.
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7TE UK.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koch
keywords: CBT; cognitive; resilience