Biological Framework of Psychological Resilience: Literature Review

Abstract

Resilience, as a multi-dimensional psychological construct, is considered in the context of mental health. Many authors understand resilience as a psychobiological phenomenon which determines an individual's response to adverse life events or stress. The connection between psychological resilience and stress as a bio-psycho-social reaction is the topic of numerous empirical research studies and theoretical analyses. This paper focuses on the biological components and framework of psychological resilience. Based on the internet search in general research open access repositories (Google Scholar, DOAJ) and specialized repositories (MEDLINE and PSYCHINFO), the interest of the research community to investigate connections between biological factors and psychological resilience is confirmed. The following biological factors and components, which are most frequently considered and connected with psychological resilience, are: multiple phenotypic levels including stress response systems, neural circuitry function, and immune responses, in interaction with genetic factors; neurogenesis in the hippocampus or reactive up-regulation of ion channels in ventral tegmental area (involved in resilience against stressful conditions); temporal axis; genes encoding serotonin transfer; etc. By choosing specific terms as internet search filters, only a few papers were selected. The factors that form the biological framework of psychological resilience are systematized. An overview of the interventions likely to promote resilience and resilient brain function is included. The main conclusion emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to psychological resilience as a construct supported by and affecting the social dimension as well as the biological dimension of personal functioning.