Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1995

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology

Major Professor

Howard R. Pollio

Committee Members

Charlie Cohen, Kathleen de Marrais, John Lounsbury

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the human experience of resiliency. A qualitative method was utilized, guided by principles within phenomenological methodology. Ten volunteers from the general population were interviewed in an open-ended manner concerning their experience of resiliency. Their interviews were transcribed and the resulting transcripts were interpreted using a hermeneutic "narrative analysis".

The analysis resulted in a narrative structure which divided itself into three distinct phases: Worst Time, Grasping for Straws and Being Resilient. The experience was invariably described as a temporal, dynamic, ongoing process occurring within an inter-relational context characterized by concerns with self, relationships to others, the world, and time. Self-boundaries were defined in terms of three major themes: connection, continuity and control and their antithesis: disconnection, discontinuity and lack of control.

Based upon participants' descriptions, the focal experience of Being Resilient involves two inter-related processes whereby one surrenders to the desire to fall apart and then recovers, resulting in an experience of profound change. Change was described as a shift in attitude which happens only after one is able to make sense of suffering.An integral part of this process involves the ability to maintain a sense of continuity over time when confronted by adversity, even as one experiences change. This was often described in terms of recovering a sense of balance when figure/ground relationships had been disrupted. Change and the opportunity for continued growth separate the experience of resiliency from mere coping.

The narrative structure suggests resilient stories have a specific pattern which is both continuous and open, allowing one to make sense of life in a way that leaves it open for further growth. As such, resilient stories reflect the lived-experience of resiliency by promoting a sense of balance and providing opportunities to re-interpret stories in light of new knowledge.

Implications of these results were discussed in terms of clinical work with patients. Suggestions for future research were also described.

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