It also tells us resiliency is not a rare trait displayed by a privileged few. We may all be said to have some resiliency. When the risk factors in our lives outweigh protective factors, we are all vulnerable to failure in its many forms, whether that be addiction, criminality, or an inability to provide for our own basic needs. There is nothing absolute about resiliency. People who have survived a troubled environment and thrived are still affected by the sacrifices they made to cope with that environment.
Researchers agree that the concept of resiliency deserves and requires more study.
For instance, Werner and Smith found that children with outgoing temperaments were more likely to be resilient. Whatever remains to be discovered about the mechanisms of resiliency, the findings of research thus far have effected a major shift in thinking among those who deal with people at risk. It means that when we do prevention, we don't focus solely on the dangers of addiction. We give people a picture of hope-a picture of what they can be without addiction. From this optimistic campaign, a seed was planted.