Exploring the Structure and Interrelations of Time-Stable Psychological Resilience, Psychological Vulnerability, and Social Cohesion

Bibliographic Data

ID15528843
AuthorsSarita Silveira (0000-0003-1530-8203, Max Planck Society, corresponding author), Martin Hecht (0000-0002-5168-4911, University of Tübingen), Mazda Adli (0000-0002-0993-5617, DRK Kliniken Berlin), Manuel C Voelkle (0000-0001-5576-8103, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), Thomas Singer (0000-0002-4438-5374, Social Neuroscience Lab)
Year2022
Volume13
Pages804763-804763
Publication date2022-03-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2022.804763
PMID35360131
OpenAlexW4220876166
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited97

The current study explores the relationship between three constructs of high relevance in the context of adversities which have, however, not yet been systematically linked on the level of psychological dispositions: psychological vulnerability, psychological resilience, and social cohesion. Based on previous theoretical and empirical frameworks, a collection of trait questionnaires was assessed in a Berlin sample of 3,522 subjects between 18 and 65 years of age. Using a confirmatory factor analytical approach, we found no support for a simple three-factor structure. Results from exploratory structural analyses suggest that instead of psychological resilience and psychological vulnerability constituting two separate factors, respective indicators load on one bipolar latent factor. Interestingly, some psychological resilience indicators contributed to an additional specific latent factor, which may be interpreted as adaptive capacities, that is, abilities to adapt to changes or adjust to consequences of adversities. Furthermore, instead of evidence for one single social cohesion factor on the psychological level, indicators of perceived social support and loneliness formed another specific factor of social belonging, while indicators of prosocial competencies were found to form yet another distinct factor, which was positively associated to the other social factors, adaptive capacities and social belonging. Our results suggest that social cohesion is composed of different independent psychological components, such as trust, social belonging, and social skills. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of social capacities and belonging for psychological resilience and suggest that decreasing loneliness and increasing social skills should therefore represent a valuable intervention strategy to foster adaptive capacities

Confirmatory factor analysis · Developmental psychology · Loneliness · Prosocial behavior · Psychological resilience · Structural equation modeling · Vulnerability (computing · Community Health and Development · Health disparities and outcomes · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology