Adaptive responses to illness and disability

The authors attempt to understand the nature and sources of "resilience" by a comparison of three individuals who showed unusual courage in the face of death, illness, and congenital disability. Various adaptive traits that enabled them to function effectively and remain optimistic are discussed. The authors specifically consider the role of "healthy" denial and argue that it does not fully explain or account for their singular optimism confronting adversity. The term "resilience" is proposed to describe both the particular cognitive style of "hardiness" and the "ego strength" that characterize such patients. Possible sources and origins of resilience are suggested. Finally, implications for the treatment of such patients are considered.