How is resilience primarily developed in individuals?

Resilience is primarily developed through experiences of adversity because facing challenges and overcoming difficulties allows individuals to build coping mechanisms and adaptive responses. When a person encounters stressors or hardships, they learn to navigate through these situations, which fosters personal growth and strengthens their ability to handle future challenges. This process of confronting and managing adversity helps cultivate emotional strength and flexibility, which are key components of resilience.

While practicing mindfulness, receiving support and guidance, and gaining knowledge certainly contribute to an individual's overall mental health and can enhance resilience, the core foundation is often rooted in how one responds to and learns from difficult experiences. Adversity teaches valuable lessons about perseverance, enhances problem-solving skills, and can lead to a greater sense of self-efficacy, all of which are essential for developing resilience.