What is Resilience? Lessons from the Garmezy and Werner Studies

The Origins of the Concept: The Norman Garmezy Study

The concept of resilience was first seriously studied by developmental psychologist Norman Garmezy, a true pioneer in this important field of study.

His research focused on identifying at-risk children who, despite their difficult backgrounds, instead of failing, thrived and excelled.

Garmezy observed children who came from very difficult backgrounds, such as having an alcoholic mother, but who still managed to thrive with a positive attitude.

It was he who labeled these special children as "resilient," thus defining those capable of overcoming adversity and building successful and fulfilling lives.

This early work laid the groundwork for understanding that a difficult environment does not necessarily determine a person's failure, opening the door to the study of human strength.

Emmy Werner's Research: A Long-Term Study

The psychologist Emmy Werner helped us better understand this concept through a long-term study of nearly 700 children from a Pacific island.

For more than 30 years, she monitored children's exposure to stressors, such as poverty or family problems, to understand their impact.

Even though one-third of these children came from unstable backgrounds, not all of them reacted to stress in the same way over time.

One-third of the at-risk children grew up to be competent, confident, and caring young adults, despite their difficult beginnings.

These resilient individuals not only achieved academic and domestic success, but were also always willing to take advantage of new opportunities that came their way.

The First Predictive Factor: Luck or Outside Support

Analyzing her data, Werner concluded that there were two main factors that predicted the capacity for resilience in a person.

The first factor is external environmental elements, which she called "luck," which act as a protective shield against adversity.

This luck includes things like having a very strong bond with a supportive caregiver, whether a parent, teacher, or mentor figure.

It can also include an unexpected opportunity or stroke of luck that changes the course of a perso