Research by Professor Antonia Bifulco and Dr David Westley
was picked up by Radio 4 recently in their show called “The Science of
Resilience”, you can listen to it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cvhrs
Presenter Sian Williams used the discussion by psychologists
expert on resilience to relate to her own recent experience of breast cancer
and invasive surgery. She looked at bio-psycho-social aspects of both stress and
resilience.
Professor Bifulco told presenter Sian Williams about the new
measure developed by the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies. The Computerised
Life Events Assessment Record (CLEAR) is an online measure, that collects
personal information about the self and close others. It looks in detail at
life change, particularly that stressful, experienced over the past year
related to relationships, health or lifestyle.
The measure provides a feedback
report that identifies the number of stressors the respondent has experienced
as well as which ones are contextually the most severely threatening. It also identifies vulnerability through
looking at insecure attachment style, and provides a depression symptom count.
A measure of wellbeing also enables an assessment of resilience to be made in
the face of stress.
Dr Westley discussed the mechanisms within the brain
that are affected when someone experiences a challenging event. Including the
importance of the amgydala and what techniques might be able to boost
resilience by training yourself to focus away from threat and towards more
positive stimuli.
