Coping and resilience in adults: a cross-sectional network analysis

Background and objectives: Coping and resilience, how we deal with problems and difficulties and recover from misfortune or change, are two well-known interrelated concepts within psychology. The question remains, however, to what extent the two overlap or differ.

Design: The present study investigated coping, resilience and their relationship using cross-sectional network analysis. Participants (N = 502), aged between 18 and 64 y old, completed an online survey including the Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) and the SPF-24 (Scale of Protective Factors).

Results: Partial correlation networks on coping and resilience separately show strong, mostly positive associations, both within and between different cluster of coping and different higher-order resilience factors. Results for our combined partial correlation network indicate that coping and resilience are distinct, yet clearly related constructs and are likely to influence each other. Overall, the use of social support, active coping, goal efficacy and planning proved important in bridging coping and resilience.

Conclusion: The current findings are best replicated using time-series data, person-specific network models and clinical samples. Further implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.