The components of resilience—Perceptions of an Australian rural community

TLDR

Resilience is a well‑established individual concept in psychology, yet its application to communities has been limited; community‑development theory highlights assets that enable effective adaptation, and resilience emerges from interactions among individuals, infrastructure, environment, and economy. The study reports the components of community and individual resilience identified through participatory action research in a rural Australian community. The authors conducted participatory action research within a rural Australian community to identify resilience components. The study identified resilience components including social networks, positive outlook, learning, early experiences, environment, infrastructure, sense of purpose, diverse economy, embracing differences, beliefs, and leadership, extending prior research by highlighting environmental, economic, and infrastructural factors that enhance community resilience. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract Resilience, of individuals, is a well‐established concept in the psychology/mental health literatures, but has been little explored in relation to communities. Related theory in the community development and social impact assessment literature provides insight into qualities and assets of communities that enable them to develop effectively or to adapt to major changes. This article reports the components of community and individual resilience identified through a participatory action research study within a rural Australian community. These are social networks and support; positive outlook; learning; early experiences; environment and lifestyle; infrastructure and support services; sense of purpose; diverse and innovative economy; embracing differences; beliefs; and leadership. These components entail interactions between individuals, the community, infrastructure, the environment and the economy in the process of building resilience. The findings extend from previous research by recognizing environmental and economic factors, infrastructure and support services, as enhancing resilience, and expand the limited evidence base for those wishing to promote resilience at the community scale. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.