Which characteristic best describes resilience in personality psychology?

The characteristic that best describes resilience in personality psychology is the capacity to recover from setbacks. Resilience is fundamentally about an individual's ability to bounce back from adversity, stress, or challenging life circumstances. It reflects a person's strength in facing difficulties, adapting to change, and maintaining a positive outlook despite obstacles.

A resilient person does not simply endure hardships; they actively navigate through them, learning and growing in the process. This recovery often involves harnessing emotional, social, and cognitive resources to reestablish a sense of well-being and pursue future goals effectively.

Other descriptions, such as an inability to cope with stress, resistance to change, or a preference for solitude, do not encapsulate the essence of resilience. Instead, these characteristics suggest a lack of flexibility, avoidance, or withdrawal, which are contrary to the proactive and adaptable nature of resilience.