Quantifying resilience: Theoretical or pragmatic for translational research?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Resilience is a critical factor in mental health outcomes.
• Quantifying resilience enables hypothesis testing regarding stressor load and mental health.
• Existing models facilitate prospective studies but face limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the quantification of resilience.
• To propose a model for resilience assessment.
• To identify challenges in applying resilience quantification to animal models.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a model for quantifying resilience.
• It suggests comparing resilience to mental health problems relative to stressor load.
• The model is amenable to prospective longitudinal designs.

Main Results:

• The proposed model allows for testable hypotheses about resilience.
• Prospective studies with pre- and post-adversity data collection are well-suited.
• Pre-stressor assessments are not consistently available.

Conclusions:

• Quantifying resilience provides a framework for empirical investigation.
• Adaptation for animal research is a significant challenge.
• The translation value of animal resilience research is substantial.