BACKGROUND: Resilience refers to a dynamic process that results in adaptation in the context of significant adversity (Margalit 2004). The concept of resilience has been of interest to various professional groups for many years; however, it is only recently that the nursing profession has begun to recognise its potential contribution in diverse clinical contexts. OBJECTIVE: First, to identify current theoretical and operational definitions of resilience and second, to identify and describe defining attributes of resilience. METHODS: The method of inquiry was guided by Walker and Avant's (1995) approach to concept analysis. FINDINGS: From this analysis, a conceptual model of resilience postulates that the constructs of self-efficacy, hope and coping are defining attributes of resilience. DISCUSSION: Resilience appears to be a process that can be developed at any time during lifespan, and thus is not an inherent characteristic of personality. Further, the development of resilience is based on the synergy shared between individuals and their environments and experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Further theoretical clarification of the ways in which individuals transform stressful experiences into opportunities for increased growth may contribute to nursing knowledge in the form of better understanding of the resilience concept in the context of identifying strategies that build it.
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