The Neuroscience of Resilience

Although the surge in research into the neuroscience of resilience is relatively new, it has been able to elucidate the brain structures that underlie resilience and identify strategies for supporting brain health and mental health across the lifespan. Despite advances, neuroscientists need the input of social work clinicians and clinical researchers to continue to move the field forward. This article provides a narrative review of the recent literature on the neuroscience of resilience with the goal of informing social workers and social work researchers about the state of knowledge in this field. We restricted our review to research in the past 20 years on resilience to stress and trauma, including only those papers that relate to neuroscience or mental functioning. We summarize recent developments in the neuroscience of resilience—notably the neural circuitry and physiology that underlie resilience in humans and animals. We go on to identify a number of interventions likely to promote resilience and resilient brain function, including parenting and community-based interventions for children and adolescents, hardiness training, meditation and mindfulness approaches, and aerobic exercise. Recommendations are made for future cross-disciplinary work.