Researchers have been exploring how emotions affect our ability to recover from setbacks and adversities. Adolescence is a particularly challenging time for young people, as they navigate social and emotional changes that can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and rejection. This research suggests that certain emotional strategies may be more effective than others when it comes to building resilience in the face of relational rejection.
There are still many unanswered questions about which specific emotional strategies predict adolescent resilience and why these strategies are so important. In this paper, I will review previous studies on the topic and offer suggestions for future research directions.
Previous research has identified several key emotional strategies that seem to predict adolescent resilience in the face of relational rejection. One strategy is emotion regulation, which involves managing one's emotions in a way that promotes well-being and positive outcomes.
Some adolescents may engage in mindfulness practices such as deep breathing or journaling to help them process their feelings and move on from negative experiences. Another strategy is self-compassion, which involves treating oneself with kindness and understanding rather than harsh judgment. Some adolescents may practice self-affirmations or seek support from trusted adults to help build their self-esteem and feel better about themselves.
Social connection seems to play an essential role in developing resilience during adolescence. Supportive relationships can provide a sense of belonging and security that helps buffer against the effects of rejection. Adolescents who have strong social networks may be less likely to internalize rejections and more likely to bounce back quickly. They may also use these relationships as a source of emotional support and guidance during difficult times. It is unclear whether social connection causes resilience or is a result of it, but both theories suggest that social connections are crucial for building resilience.
The findings from past research suggest that emotional strategies like emotion regulation, self-compassion, and social connection may all contribute to adolescent resilience.
There are still many unanswered questions about how these strategies work together and interact with other factors such as personality traits and life circumstances. Future studies should explore how different emotional strategies work together and test whether they can be combined effectively to promote resilience.
Researchers could examine whether some emotional strategies are more effective than others depending on individual differences such as gender, age, or culture.
Further investigation into the mechanisms underlying resilience would be helpful, including examining how emotions impact physical health and brain development during adolescence.
What emotional strategies predict adolescents' resilience in the face of relational rejection?
One study (Perrin, 2016) suggests that the ability to cope with negative emotion, such as self-compassion, is related to adolescent's resiliency to rejection in relational contexts. Specifically, the author reports that young adults who were able to "beat themselves up" less for their mistakes were more likely to be resilient after being rejected by peers.