A Correlational Study on Resilience and Well-Being among College Adolescents in Kolhapur City

Abstract

'Positive psychology' or 'Psychology of Strength' is one of the important branch which give greatest contributions in recent time in the field of psychology (Seligman, 2000). Positive Psychology is not a new field. During the times of Socrates, Aristotle, Plato has focused on the study of Good Life means it is indicate that positive activities in human life. Positive Psychology has a briefhistory and long background. Variety of concepts consisted in this area such as resilience, well-being, self-efficacy, coping strength, hardiness, positive adaptation, optimism, happiness etc.In 21th century variety of behavioral problems has increasing day by day in the society. Every individual face many of psycho-social difficulties during their life course. Many of people strive these stressful situations very easily and they recover quickly from adverse events this is a positive capacity we called as 'resilience'. In the field of positive psychology 'resilience' is relative new concept which researchers have taking interest in it. Resilience means the capacity of 'bounce back' from adverse situations in the life. Resilience has a long history and deep roots. In 1970's and 1980's researchers focus their attention on resilience and studied scientifically manner. The concept of resilience introduced of the world with the study of psychopathology, medicine and education field (Masten, 1989; Masten Coatwort, 1988). Werner (1992) refers to resilience is positive capacity in which individuals exhibit positive behavioral adaptation when they faced significant or trauma in their life. Richardson (2000) defined resilience as the process of coping with that contributes to development of protective factors. Resilience consisted two components that is resistance against destructions (as personal capacity to protect his or her integrity under stressful situations), and the ability to constructed a positive life in spite of (Vanistendael, 1995). According to Ann Masten (2001) Resilience is an magic. Masten's concept of ordinary magic identified two aspects of resilience research. First aspect explored that many people show resilient responses to significant life challenges, in other words, resilience is not a rare and extraordinary capacity but it is common characteristics found in every individuals'. Second aspect is a lack of extraordinariness. Resilience is not from superman ability but it is arises from everyday features of people's lives. Resilience is pattern of behavior and functioning indicative of positive adaptation in the context of significant risk and adversity (Masten & Coatsworth, 1998).Well-being as dynamic concept including Subjective, psychological, social and health dimensions. Well-being is one of the important indicator of individuals as well as societies strive for. Ryan and Deci (2001) suggested that well-being has been related to number of factors such as emotions, physical health, personality traits, wealth, social support etc. According to Kiefer (2008) well-being defined in terms of an individual's, physical, mental, social and environmental status interacting with each other and these factors having different level of influence on each individual. Well-being as preponderance of positive and negative affect (Bradbum, 1996). Ryffs presented model of well being with six dimensions such as autonomy, personal growth, self acceptance, purpose in life, environmental mastery and positive relations with others. Different terms used in literature synonymously of well-being such as happiness, satisfaction, moral and positive affect (Chekola, 1975; Culberson, 1977; Jones, 1953; Tatarkiewiez, 1976; Wessmans, 1957; & Wilson, I960). Kitchener and jorm (2002) defined the well-being has a state of mind with an absence of mental disorders, perspectives ofpositive psychology ,ability to enjoy life and create balance between activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. …