ADVERSITY QUOTIENT: SURVIVING RATHER THAN GIVING UP

Abstract

Every day, people experience different adversities in life. They often face specific events that may challenge their psychological stability as individuals. Such adversities may be in the form of sudden loss of a loved one, loss of job, financial instability, strained relationships, career insecurities and other events that may leave a great impact not just on the temporary emotional state of an individual but also, may affect the individual’s long-term psychological state. Nevertheless, each of us has the God-given inner ability to face and solve such terrible situations to advantage in life. Despite exposures to stress, some people can withstand, overcome, and be strengthened and successful by the negative experience. In the present times, this pertinent psychological issue can be addressed as ‘Adversity Quotient (AQ) i.e. the science of human resilience’. People who successfully apply AQ in their life will perform optimally in difficulties, challenges- small or big- that confront them every day. This research paper tries to explore how individuals deal with such adversities and are able to bounce back as stronger and wiser amidst certain events in their life that brought tremendous change to their psychological well-being. Also, this research endeavors to provide an insight to educators, counsellors, parents and students how to surmount life adversities and survive rather than giving up in life.