Abstract
BackgroundDespite the proliferation of research into resilience in ageing, no universally accepted operational definition has been agreed. Within a life-course framework, the ways in which individuals demonstrate resilience is numerous and varied; the ways in which resilience is operationalised by researchers is similarly heterogeneous. The present study aimed to better understand resilience in the context of ageing by examining the ways researchers have conceptualised and operationalised the construct. MethodsScopus and Web of Science were searched for the keywords “resilience” and “ageing” between Feb 2 and Feb 11, 2015, for articles published in English. Independent title and abstract screening was conducted, followed by full-text review. Studies positing specific operational definitions of resilience within the context of ageing were identified via independent title and abstract screening and were narratively synthesised during full-text extraction. Findings5909 studies were identified by the search strategy, of which 50 met inclusion criteria. Theorists from a variety of backgrounds posited methods for operationalising resilience—eg, psychometric-driven, definition-driven, or data-driven. Few studies adopted a life course perspective—ie, examining how factors across life affect resilience in later life, or whether resilience at an earlier age is associated with later resilience. The overarching emphasis on “bouncing back” from a negative event (eg, physical or emotional trauma) was captured in most operationalisations of the studies. InterpretationThe manifestations of resilience varied widely across the nature of the adverse event and the resources and strengths invoked in the demonstration of resilience. Although there were examples of resiliency having been operationalised at various life stages, how resilience is linked in early, mid, and later life has not been sufficiently addressed. Within the context of ageing research, examining the ways in which resilience is demonstrated provides potential opportunities to elucidate markers and predictors that foster better outcomes for ageing individuals. FundingThis work was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (programme code MC_UU_12019/1)
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