Finding of factors comprising resilience in Japanese older adults

The subjects of an earthquake in eastern Japan

Abstract

Resilience has been defined as a dynamic process of maintaining positive adaptation and effective coping strategies in the face of adversity. The aim of this study was to find the factors comprising resilience in Japanese older adults. We asked experts in medical and psychological care for older adults to rate the capacity for recovery and rebound of psychological health after a challenge of the earthquake occurring in eastern Japan in association with items respectively. As a result, 14 items were chosen to construct the resilience for older adults and three factors were identified: (1). Self-control; (2). Positive interpretation (interpret the present to a positive direction); (3). Acceptance of self and life. All these factors had a high degree of internal consistency for Cronbach's alpha reliability for the scale. Moreover, the 3rd factor, Acceptance, was more associated with the resilience for older adults, compared to the other two factors.