The concept of hardiness: persistent problems, persistent appeal

Despite increased critical debate, the concept of hardiness continues to be a popular focus of research, and little has changed in how hardiness is defined, measured, and applied. The article argues that the concept of hardiness remains inherently problematic. In particular, hardiness is plagued by definitional problems, problems of construct validity, measurement problems, and class, gender, and age bias. The persistent appeal of the hardiness construct lies partially in researchers' desire to discover why some people are able to withstand the health-damaging effects of stress. More important, the article argues that hardiness is appealing because it continues to be easier to focus on individual problems and solutions rather than look for and try to change the social factors that affect health status and well-being.