Young adults' experience of resilience following adversity in adolescence: A hermeneutic phenomenological study

Resilience is a multi-faceted construct that has stimulated profound research on risk and protective factors that impact resilience in “at-risk” populations. However, studies examining resilience in healthy, “everyday” adolescents are lacking. This study utilizes a hermeneutic phenomenological study to examine lived experiences of resilience in young adults without observable at-risk characteristics. The purpose of this study is to uncover factors facilitating resilience to inform prevention and intervention initiatives, and add to the literature regarding its definition. This thesis uses semi-structured interviews with seven young adults (age 21-25) who self-identified as undergoing adversity during adolescence and currently perceive themselves as resilient. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) Social and Community Supports, (2) Reconnecting in Meaningful Ways, (3) Shifting Perspectives, and (4) Psychological/Emotional/Psychosocial Protective Processes. Finally, this thesis reveals useful applications to counselling adolescents with important considerations to factors such as positive sense of self-worth, belonging, caring friendships and acceptance of negative emotions.