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Rocks, Dandelions or Steel Springs: Understanding Resilience from a Public Health Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Karl Gauffin

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Josephine Jackisch

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Ylva B. Almquist

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

The multifaceted concept of resilience is widely used to describe individual or societal abilities to withstand and adjust to external pressures. In relation to health, resilience can help us to understand a positive health development despite adverse circumstances. The authors of this article aimed to disentangle this complex concept by elaborating on three metaphors commonly used to describe resilience. Similarities and differences between resilience as a rock, a dandelion, and a steel spring are discussed. The metaphors partly overlap but still provide slightly different perspectives on the development and manifestation of resilience. With reference to longitudinal studies of long-term health development, the article also elaborates on how resilience relates to temporal dimensions commonly used in epidemiological studies: age, cohort, and period. Moreover, the interaction between resilience at individual, organizational, and societal levels is discussed. In conclusion, it is argued that public health sciences have great potential to further a theoretical discussion that improves our understanding of resilience and promotes the integration of individual- and community-level perspectives on resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Karl Gauffin & Josephine Jackisch & Ylva B. Almquist, 2021. "Rocks, Dandelions or Steel Springs: Understanding Resilience from a Public Health Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-8, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:8189-:d:607138
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Morton, M.J. & Lurie, N., 2013. "Community resilience and public health practice," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(7), pages 1158-1160.
    2. S. Nazrul Islam & John Winkel, 2017. "Climate Change and Social Inequality," Working Papers 152, United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs.
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