Is resilience linked to stress response among anesthesia professionals? A prospective simulation-based study
Yoann Zafiriou1, Jean-Noël Evain2, Barthélémy Bertrand3
1Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Institute of Nursing Education, Grenoble INP(Institute of Engineering, Univ. Grenoble Alpes), TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France.
Plos One
|June 2, 2026
Summary
This study found no link between resilience and immediate stress responses in anesthesiology professionals during a crisis simulation. Resilience may be a long-term adaptation, not an acute stress buffer.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Anesthesiology is a high-stress field with significant burnout rates.
- Resilience, the ability to adapt positively to adversity, is a potential protective factor.
- The relationship between resilience and acute stress responses in this population is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between resilience levels and physiological/psychological stress responses during a simulated anesthetic crisis.
- To test if higher resilience correlates with attenuated stress reactions.
Main Methods:
- Included anesthesiologists, residents, and nurse anesthetists (n=34).
- Resilience measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10).
- Participants underwent a pediatric laryngospasm simulation; physiological (heart rate variability) and psychological stress were assessed.
Main Results:
- Median resilience score was 29 (range 18-34).
- No significant association found between resilience and physiological stress responses (p=0.085).
- No significant association found between resilience and psychological stress responses (p=0.621).
Conclusions:
- Resilience scores were similar to previous studies.
- No link observed between resilience and acute stress response in this simulation.
- Resilience may represent long-term adaptation, suggesting direct measurement is key for identifying at-risk professionals.
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