Table 1.

Individual and Environmental Factors Which Influence the Resilience of Older Adults

Overarching theme	Protective factors	Vulnerability factors
Within the older adult
Sociodemographic resources	Lower age Higher level of education Income
Self-perceptions	Strong self-efficacy Sense of coherence Self-transcendence High self-esteem Self-acceptance Good self-rated health	Perceived stressfulness of the event/severity of the condition Poor self-rated health
Psychological resources	Positive emotions/happiness Optimism Emotional regulation Altruism Grit Hope Morale Satisfaction in life	Depression/depressive symptoms Psychological distress Anxiety Stress
Cognitive abilities	Cognitive functioning Communication skills
Health status/behaviors	Good mental and physical health Independence in ADLs and mobility Meaningful activity Health-promoting lifestyle/self-care Successful ageing	ADL impairment Frailty
Previous adversities	Previous experience of overcoming adversity	Childhood adversity
Meaningfulness	Spiritual practice/being religious Meaning/purpose in life “Counting blessings”
Within relationships
Social support network	External connections Social support Social connectedness Social engagement Social network size	Loneliness
Family	Close family relationships Living with others	Being childless/limited support from children
Friends	Close friendships Neighbors
Within the community
Person–environment fit	“Places for growing older” Community involvement Social and economic resources Health care and agencies

Note: ADL = activities of daily living.