Stress, competence, and resilience: Common frontiers for therapist and psychopathologist

Norman Garmezy, Ann S Masten

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Scopus citations

Abstract

The joint contributions of psychotherapist and researcher to strengthening the knowledge base of psychopathology has been too often ignored in the antagonism that exists between the two camps. This article examines the contributions of both groups to the emerging science of developmental psychopathology. The role of single case observations in the origins of this multidisciplinary perspective is highlighted. The constructs of stress, coping, risk, vulnerability, and protective factors are reviewed as central themes in the formulation of research in developmental psychopathology. A research case example, Project Competence, is provided to illustrate the relevance of these concepts in studying the factors that influence the quality of adjustment in children and adolescents. The implications of such research findings for therapeutic interventions and future research on stress-resistance are discussed, with emphasis on the benefits to be gained by both therapist and researcher from the study of risk and protective factors in the development of competence and psychopathology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)500-521
Number of pages22
JournalBehavior Therapy
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1986

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Preparation of this article was facilitated by research grants from the William T. Grant Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and a Research Career Award (NIMH-USPHS) to Norman Garmezy. Our appreciation for assistance is expressed to our coprincipal investigator of Project Competence, Auke Tellegen. Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. Norman Garmezy, N419 Elliot Hall, University of Minnesota, 75 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

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