Of resilience, vulnerability, and a woman who never lived

Abstract

One day we may be able to say with some degree of confidence that Factor A over a certain level + Factor B over a certain level + Factor C under a certain level + Factor X will produce Y level of functioning in domain X--in about 80% of cases. Despite advances in our knowledge about the influence of various protective and risk factors in development, health, and functioning, however, we still have good reason to remain humble. This article examines some of the advances and some of the problems in the study of resilience and vulnerability in children and adolescents.