Elana Newman, PhD

Nearly everyone will experience at least one major traumatic life event. Responses to extraordinary stressors vary. Some might find themselves debilitated by distress or might experience symptoms of depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Others, on the other hand, might not experience distress. Others might temporarily experience distress but sift through the fog by using adaptive coping resources; others might grow stronger after what they have endured.

So what helps or hinders a person’s ability to "bounce back" after a traumatic event? "Resilience: Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges" is a digestible, informative, and poignant read integrating psychological, biological, and social research.

The authors analyzed interviews with former Vietnam prisoners of war, Special Forces instructors, and civilian men and women who flourished despite their adverse experiences. As a result, 10 "resilience factors" effectively employed under harrowing circumstances by survivors were identified: optimism, facing fear, moral compass, religion and spirituality, social support, role models, physical fitness and strengthening, brain fitness, cognitive and emotional flexibility, and meaning/purpose and growth. The book chapters are structured around each factor, and there are additional introductory and concluding chapters.

Typically, each chapter begins with one story of how an interviewee overcame a tragedy. Many chapters introduce more than one testimonial, or revisit testimonials from previous chapters to illustrate how survivors applied various resiliency strategies. These narratives provide vivid examples of the various constructs and ideas. Next, the scientific literature explaining the evolution and usefulness of a particular resiliency factor is detailed.

Beyond the psychological and social research, many chapters discuss the neuroscience of resiliency, focusing on the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system. The introductory chapter’s review prepares unfamiliar readers with a good foundation for understanding the neuroscience in each of the following chapters. Most chapters conclude by presenting practical suggestions on how a reader might apply resiliency factors to their own life. This approach not only educates but captivates the reader, and captures the essence of what it means to be resilient.

The content of this book might help a variety of individuals who are not in crisis. Whether it be a Vietnam vet who has been suffering for years, or someone who has recently suffered devastation and loss through the winds, rains, and flooding of superstorm Sandy, or those directly or indirectly affected by the Sandy Hook school shootings, this book offers a basis to rebuild and repair.

In addition, the book might benefit friends and family members of those who have experienced traumatic stress, those who want to strengthen their resiliency skills to buffer against potential future unhealthy responses, and those who simply want to reassess world views and life perspectives to improve their overall health.

Further, this book might be an informative and thought-provoking text for undergraduate students. It also could help journalists and other first-on-the-scene responders who want to quickly gain a foundation in the science of resiliency. The book might not be as useful for advanced students or clinicians who hope to apply the acquired knowledge directly to practice, since it is not a prescriptive manual for professionals. Similarly, for some personal struggles, crises, and serious conditions, this book, in and of itself, will not be appropriate. Rather, it is a helpful reflective tool to navigate through life’s challenging moments, but it is not an intensive therapy guide.

The task of conveying the science, personal narratives, and practical advice in one consistent narrative style to scientific and lay audiences is quite challenging. At times, the dense typeface, small font, and lack of figures and illustrations detract from the book’s overall accessibility. Similarly, the placement of and transition to the narratives is not always well integrated; readers are occasionally challenged to quickly shift attention from the global to the personal, or to recall details of a particular person’s story without enough cues. However, headings throughout the chapters help orient the reader as topics shift.

The combined scientific and clinical expertise of Dr. Steven M. Southwick and Dr. Dennis S. Charney is apparent in this well-researched book. It functions as a resource for those seeking solace, as a gratifying leisure read for those pursuing some inspiration, or as an academic text for undergraduate students.

Finally, the book facilitates the reader’s pursuit to better understand what it means to live a functional and fulfilling life despite experiencing inevitable life traumas. The authors’ balance between an interdisciplinary didactic approach and real-world examples of how individuals have managed to bounce back in the face of adversity enriches the reader’s understanding of the human struggle and the spirited process of healing.

Ms. Drevo, a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of Tulsa (Okla.), serves as research lab coordinator for the Treatment and Assessment Center for Traumatic Stress (TACTS) and is a member of the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Abuse and Neglect (TITAN), at the university. She is interested in the relationship between risk-taking behaviors and traumatic experiences.

Dr. Newman is the McFarlin Professor of Psychology at the University of Tulsa, and research director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. Her current research projects involve child disaster mental health, the occupational health of journalists, and dissemination of trauma-informed best practice and trauma competencies. She teaches courses in traumatic stress studies, the psychology of women, evidence-based interventions, supervision and consultation, advanced psychotherapy, and journalism and trauma.

Nearly everyone will experience at least one major traumatic life event. Responses to extraordinary stressors vary. Some might find themselves debilitated by distress or might experience symptoms of depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Others, on the other hand, might not experience distress. Others might temporarily experience distress but sift through the fog by using adaptive coping resources; others might grow stronger after what they have endured.

So what helps or hinders a person’s ability to "bounce back" after a traumatic event? "Resilience: Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges" is a digestible, informative, and poignant read integrating psychological, biological, and social research.

The authors analyzed interviews with former Vietnam prisoners of war, Special Forces instructors, and civilian men and women who flourished despite their adverse experiences. As a result, 10 "resilience factors" effectively employed under harrowing circumstances by survivors were identified: optimism, facing fear, moral compass, religion and spirituality, social support, role models, physical fitness and strengthening, brain fitness, cognitive and emotional flexibility, and meaning/purpose and growth. The book chapters are structured around each factor, and there are additional introductory and concluding chapters.

Typically, each chapter begins with one story of how an interviewee overcame a tragedy. Many chapters introduce more than one testimonial, or revisit testimonials from previous chapters to illustrate how survivors applied various resiliency strategies. These narratives provide vivid examples of the various constructs and ideas. Next, the scientific literature explaining the evolution and usefulness of a particular resiliency factor is detailed.

Beyond the psychological and social research, many chapters discuss the neuroscience of resiliency, focusing on the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system. The introductory chapter’s review prepares unfamiliar readers with a good foundation for understanding the neuroscience in each of the following chapters. Most chapters conclude by presenting practical suggestions on how a reader might apply resiliency factors to their own life. This approach not only educates but captivates the reader, and captures the essence of what it means to be resilient.

The content of this book might help a variety of individuals who are not in crisis. Whether it be a Vietnam vet who has been suffering for years, or someone who has recently suffered devastation and loss through the winds, rains, and flooding of superstorm Sandy, or those directly or indirectly affected by the Sandy Hook school shootings, this book offers a basis to rebuild and repair.

In addition, the book might benefit friends and family members of those who have experienced traumatic stress, those who want to strengthen their resiliency skills to buffer against potential future unhealthy responses, and those who simply want to reassess world views and life perspectives to improve their overall health.

Further, this book might be an informative and thought-provoking text for undergraduate students. It also could help journalists and other first-on-the-scene responders who want to quickly gain a foundation in the science of resiliency. The book might not be as useful for advanced students or clinicians who hope to apply the acquired knowledge directly to practice, since it is not a prescriptive manual for professionals. Similarly, for some personal struggles, crises, and serious conditions, this book, in and of itself, will not be appropriate. Rather, it is a helpful reflective tool to navigate through life’s challenging moments, but it is not an intensive therapy guide.

The task of conveying the science, personal narratives, and practical advice in one consistent narrative style to scientific and lay audiences is quite challenging. At times, the dense typeface, small font, and lack of figures and illustrations detract from the book’s overall accessibility. Similarly, the placement of and transition to the narratives is not always well integrated; readers are occasionally challenged to quickly shift attention from the global to the personal, or to recall details of a particular person’s story without enough cues. However, headings throughout the chapters help orient the reader as topics shift.

The combined scientific and clinical expertise of Dr. Steven M. Southwick and Dr. Dennis S. Charney is apparent in this well-researched book. It functions as a resource for those seeking solace, as a gratifying leisure read for those pursuing some inspiration, or as an academic text for undergraduate students.

Finally, the book facilitates the reader’s pursuit to better understand what it means to live a functional and fulfilling life despite experiencing inevitable life traumas. The authors’ balance between an interdisciplinary didactic approach and real-world examples of how individuals have managed to bounce back in the face of adversity enriches the reader’s understanding of the human struggle and the spirited process of healing.

Ms. Drevo, a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of Tulsa (Okla.), serves as research lab coordinator for the Treatment and Assessment Center for Traumatic Stress (TACTS) and is a member of the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Abuse and Neglect (TITAN), at the university. She is interested in the relationship between risk-taking behaviors and traumatic experiences.

Dr. Newman is the McFarlin Professor of Psychology at the University of Tulsa, and research director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. Her current research projects involve child disaster mental health, the occupational health of journalists, and dissemination of trauma-informed best practice and trauma competencies. She teaches courses in traumatic stress studies, the psychology of women, evidence-based interventions, supervision and consultation, advanced psychotherapy, and journalism and trauma.

Nearly everyone will experience at least one major traumatic life event. Responses to extraordinary stressors vary. Some might find themselves debilitated by distress or might experience symptoms of depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Others, on the other hand, might not experience distress. Others might temporarily experience distress but sift through the fog by using adaptive coping resources; others might grow stronger after what they have endured.

So what helps or hinders a person’s ability to "bounce back" after a traumatic event? "Resilience: Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges" is a digestible, informative, and poignant read integrating psychological, biological, and social research.

The authors analyzed interviews with former Vietnam prisoners of war, Special Forces instructors, and civilian men and women who flourished despite their adverse experiences. As a result, 10 "resilience factors" effectively employed under harrowing circumstances by survivors were identified: optimism, facing fear, moral compass, religion and spirituality, social support, role models, physical fitness and strengthening, brain fitness, cognitive and emotional flexibility, and meaning/purpose and growth. The book chapters are structured around each factor, and there are additional introductory and concluding chapters.

Typically, each chapter begins with one story of how an interviewee overcame a tragedy. Many chapters introduce more than one testimonial, or revisit testimonials from previous chapters to illustrate how survivors applied various resiliency strategies. These narratives provide vivid examples of the various constructs and ideas. Next, the scientific literature explaining the evolution and usefulness of a particular resiliency factor is detailed.

Beyond the psychological and social research, many chapters discuss the neuroscience of resiliency, focusing on the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system. The introductory chapter’s review prepares unfamiliar readers with a good foundation for understanding the neuroscience in each of the following chapters. Most chapters conclude by presenting practical suggestions on how a reader might apply resiliency factors to their own life. This approach not only educates but captivates the reader, and captures the essence of what it means to be resilient.

The content of this book might help a variety of individuals who are not in crisis. Whether it be a Vietnam vet who has been suffering for years, or someone who has recently suffered devastation and loss through the winds, rains, and flooding of superstorm Sandy, or those directly or indirectly affected by the Sandy Hook school shootings, this book offers a basis to rebuild and repair.

In addition, the book might benefit friends and family members of those who have experienced traumatic stress, those who want to strengthen their resiliency skills to buffer against potential future unhealthy responses, and those who simply want to reassess world views and life perspectives to improve their overall health.

Further, this book might be an informative and thought-provoking text for undergraduate students. It also could help journalists and other first-on-the-scene responders who want to quickly gain a foundation in the science of resiliency. The book might not be as useful for advanced students or clinicians who hope to apply the acquired knowledge directly to practice, since it is not a prescriptive manual for professionals. Similarly, for some personal struggles, crises, and serious conditions, this book, in and of itself, will not be appropriate. Rather, it is a helpful reflective tool to navigate through life’s challenging moments, but it is not an intensive therapy guide.

The task of conveying the science, personal narratives, and practical advice in one consistent narrative style to scientific and lay audiences is quite challenging. At times, the dense typeface, small font, and lack of figures and illustrations detract from the book’s overall accessibility. Similarly, the placement of and transition to the narratives is not always well integrated; readers are occasionally challenged to quickly shift attention from the global to the personal, or to recall details of a particular person’s story without enough cues. However, headings throughout the chapters help orient the reader as topics shift.

The combined scientific and clinical expertise of Dr. Steven M. Southwick and Dr. Dennis S. Charney is apparent in this well-researched book. It functions as a resource for those seeking solace, as a gratifying leisure read for those pursuing some inspiration, or as an academic text for undergraduate students.

Finally, the book facilitates the reader’s pursuit to better understand what it means to live a functional and fulfilling life despite experiencing inevitable life traumas. The authors’ balance between an interdisciplinary didactic approach and real-world examples of how individuals have managed to bounce back in the face of adversity enriches the reader’s understanding of the human struggle and the spirited process of healing.

Ms. Drevo, a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of Tulsa (Okla.), serves as research lab coordinator for the Treatment and Assessment Center for Traumatic Stress (TACTS) and is a member of the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Abuse and Neglect (TITAN), at the university. She is interested in the relationship between risk-taking behaviors and traumatic experiences.

Dr. Newman is the McFarlin Professor of Psychology at the University of Tulsa, and research director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. Her current research projects involve child disaster mental health, the occupational health of journalists, and dissemination of trauma-informed best practice and trauma competencies. She teaches courses in traumatic stress studies, the psychology of women, evidence-based interventions, supervision and consultation, advanced psychotherapy, and journalism and trauma.