Research Watch: can adversity make you stronger?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine what helps people come through difficult events and circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

A search was carried out for recent papers on adversity and thriving.

Findings

One paper reviewed 27 studies of coping and wellbeing after adversities. Maybe some kinds of adversity can help us get stronger, but people’s social contexts were not considered and the studies measured different things that may not be as easily compared as first appears. A second paper examined wellbeing at work, and reported that a certain type of supervisor is important for preventing burnout. The final paper reported on 55 people who survived depression. Many (though not all) participants felt their life was better than before. Surviving was assisted by practical and social support rather than pills.

Originality/value

The review of research on adversity highlights that patterns of data may look similar but may not tell us as much as we hoped. The study of workplace thriving highlighted how supervisors might support people to do their best work while preventing burnout. The study on surviving depression suggested that social resources were key to a good outcome and a better life. Social inclusion is likely to be important.

Citation

Holttum, S. (2019), "Research Watch: can adversity make you stronger?", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 64-70. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-02-2019-0005