Resilience and young people's brain structure, function and connectivity: A systematic review.
Steve Eaton1, Harriet Cornwell1, Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis1
1Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|November 6, 2021
Summary
This review explored brain differences linked to psychological resilience in youth exposed to adversity. Preliminary findings suggest structural and functional brain variations are associated with resilience in young people.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Childhood adversity increases psychopathology risk.
- Some youth exhibit psychological resilience despite negative early life experiences.
- Neural correlates of youth resilience remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review neuroimaging studies on resilience in young people.
- To identify brain differences associated with psychological resilience in youth.
- To address the gap in understanding the neural basis of resilience.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO.
- Inclusion of 22 studies from 19 unique datasets after screening 5,482 records.
- Analysis of neuroimaging data (structural MRI, functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging).
Main Results:
- Preliminary evidence links resilience to structural, functional, and connectivity differences in youth.
- Convergence observed across neuroimaging modalities, particularly involving the prefrontal cortex.
- Heterogeneity in resilience definitions and assessment methods noted.
Conclusions:
- Neuroimaging suggests specific brain alterations are associated with resilience in young individuals.
- The prefrontal cortex emerges as a key region implicated in youth resilience.
- Future research should employ longitudinal designs and comprehensive resilience conceptualizations.
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