Resilient Responses to Victimization and Other Trauma: Positive Emotion Regulation and Other Understudied Psychosocial Strengths

Abstract

Although many psychosocial strengths have been explored, there remains a need to identify under-appreciated strengths that help people overcome trauma. The objective of this study was to explore the resilience potential of 16 psychosocial strengths—including 4 understudied strengths (positive emotion regulation, self-reliance, relational motivation, and group connectedness)—for helping people overcome trauma. The understudied strengths were identified in previous qualitative work as salient in the southeastern communities where the study took place. The sample was comprised of 357 adults recruited from community events in Tennessee. Their average age was 37.6 years (SD 15.6), and the sample was 65.8% female. They completed a survey with measures of 16 psychosocial strengths, polyvictimization, and a range of outcomes. Blockwise logistic regressions were conducted using subjective well-being and trauma symptoms as the outcome. Results indicated that positive emotion regulation was the best predictor of positive functioning after experiencing trauma. Polystrengths (an indicator of the breadth of a person’s resilience portfolios), a sense of purpose, and social support received were also associated with better functioning after controlling for polyvictimization, other adversities, and demographics. In multivariate analyses, religious meaning-making and relational motivation were unexpectedly associated with worse outcomes. Most studies of emotion regulation only explore the regulation of negative emotions, such as distress and anger, but the capacity to regulate positive emotions shows promise for helping people overcome trauma. The support for polystrengths, despite mixed findings for some strengths, points to the urgent need to identify the most helpful elements of resilience portfolios.