---
attrs:
  .reference_type: 0
  Abstract: 'Exposure to adverse life events typically predicts subsequent negative effects on mental health and well-being, such that more adversity predicts worse outcomes. However, adverse experiences may also foster subsequent resilience, with resulting advantages for mental health and well-being. In a multiyear longitudinal study of a national sample, people with a history of some lifetime adversity reported better mental health and well-being outcomes than not only people with a high history of adversity but also than people with no history of adversity. Specifically, U-shaped quadratic relationships indicated that a history of some but nonzero lifetime adversity predicted relatively lower global distress, lower self-rated functional impairment, fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms, and higher life satisfaction over time. Furthermore, people with some prior lifetime adversity were the least affected by recent adverse events. These results suggest that, in moderation, whatever does not kill us may indeed make us stronger.'
  Author: 'Seery, M. D.; Holman, E. A.; Silver, R. C.'
  DOI: 10.1037/a0021344
  Date: Dec
  ISSN: 1939-1315
  Issue: 6
  Journal: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
  Keywords: '*Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; *Life Change Events; Likelihood Functions; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; *Resilience, Psychological; Stress, Psychological/*psychology; United States'
  Language: eng
  Notes: "1939-1315 Seery, Mark D Holman, E Alison Silver, Roxane Cohen T32 MH19958/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States Comparative Study Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. United States J Pers Soc Psychol. 2010 Dec;99(6):1025-41. doi: 10.1037/a0021344."
  Pages: 1025-1041
  Title: 'Whatever does not kill us: Cumulative lifetime adversity, vulnerability, and resilience'
  Volume: 99
  Year: 2010
  _record_number: 18179
  _uuid: 3ee02b96-55f8-4582-8d49-6865f6f0a603
  reftype: Journal Article
child_publication: /article/10.1037/a0021344
description: 'Whatever does not kill us: Cumulative lifetime adversity, vulnerability, and resilience'
display_name: 'Whatever does not kill us: Cumulative lifetime adversity, vulnerability, and resilience'
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publications:
  - /report/usgcrp-climate-human-health-assessment-2016/chapter/mental-health-and-well-being
  - /report/usgcrp-climate-human-health-assessment-2016
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