The Relationship Between Resilience and Motivation

Abstract

Resilience refers to the capacity to spring back from a physical, emotional, financial, or social challenge and bounce forward. Being resilient indicates that the individual has the human ability to adapt in the face of tragedy, trauma, adversity, hardship, and ongoing significant life stressors. Motivation is different from resilience and is based on an inner urge rather than stimulated in response to adversity or challenge. Motivation refers to the need, drive, or desire to act in a certain way to achieve a certain end. Motivation is, however, related to resilience in that it requires motivation to be resilient. The characteristics of individuals who are motivated and those who are resilient are similar and can be developed over time. This chapter reviews the ways in which these two concepts are similar and different and provides theoretical and empirical support for the evidence that they are both critical to recovery following an acute event and to assure successful aging.