Contemporary Research 6
Contemporary Research: A Review of Current Literature
Adam Lolofie
Salt Lake Community College
Resiliency and Plasticity
Resiliency has been defined as, “ A dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation within the context of significant adversity “ (Luthar et al., 2000, p. 543). Resilience is dynamic, not a stable trait, which means that a given person may be resilient at some periods throughout their life, but not at others. However, researchers use the term resilience with great caution. As dynamic-systems theory reminds us, although some people seem to cope better than others, no one is impervious to the social context (Jenson & Fraser, 2006; Luthar et al., 2003).
Neuroplasticity Is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment. Brain reorganization takes place by mechanisms such as "axonal sprouting" in which undamaged axons grow new nerve endings to reconnect neurons whose links were injured or severed. Undamaged axons can also sprout nerve endings and connect with other undamaged nerve cells, forming new neural pathways to accomplish a needed function. For example, if one hemisphere of the brain is damaged, the intact hemisphere may take over some of its functions. The brain compensates for damage in effect by reorganizing and forming new connections between intact neurons. In order to reconnect, the neurons need to be stimulated through activity. Neuroplasticity sometimes may also contribute to impairment. For example, people who are deaf may suffer from a continual ringing in their ears (tinnitus), the result of the rewiring of brain cells starved for sound. For neurons to form beneficial connections, they must be correctly stimulated.
For one to say that the human brain can show resiliency and plasticity over the lifespan, can mean many different things about what our brain is capable of doing. Our brains are capable of being molded, adapting to changes, and our brain is able to return to its original state. Our life experiences alter our way of thinking, our emotions, thought process, and how we comprehend life situations. In the APS article on plasticity we learn extraordinary research from various psychological and scientific minds, all suggesting that the brain is almost infinitely adaptable, from earliest infancy and on throughout late adulthood (APS By Leah Nelson). As humans, we are able to adapt and mold our lives in such a way as a musician would to his or her music. We take data from the world and adapt to it resulting in plasticity. The older we get, the brain becomes “Noisier” because they can become filled with more information throughout time and experience” (APS By Leah Nelson). We are constantly discovering the world around us, and these changes happen daily. We can reshape our assumptions from early adolescence, as well as later on in adulthood. We stretch our brains and train ourselves to adapt and use our imaginations. The APS article elaborates on how everything we have at one point was only a dream, or a, “Imaginary point and time in our lives”. By having the ability to create what we see and what we are learning, we can better adapt to the changes of the world around us.
Resiliency is the same way when it comes to the human brain showing this adaptive characteristic. In psychology, to have resilience is when you develop the necessary coping skills, to overcome a traumatic life event. Some examples: PTSD caused by war, sexual or physical abuse, or any kind of traumatic incident that has taken place at any time in an individual’s life. The environment and genes play a role in resilience as well. Having two shorter 5-HTT alleles can make a person more susceptible for a higher rate for depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems. For instance, we can refer to the article by Emily Bazelon, where she writes about the two young girls, La ‘Tanya and Tichelle. These two young girls were sexually abused by their mother’s boyfriend, and were forced to live in an unsafe environment. The level of mental trauma suffered by the two young girls was significant. However, later in the article we learn that the two young girls have successful lives. How is this possible? According to scientists, it is determined that there is a relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression, and the gene 5-HTT. 5-HTT (also known as the short allele) is critical for the regulation of serotonin to the brain. If you have two short 5-HTT genes you are most likely to be depressed by the lack of serotonin that you get to your brain. “Depression is associated with unemployment, struggling relationships, poor health, and substance abuse” (New York Times By Emily Bazelon). Proper regulation of serotonin helps promote well-being and protects against depression in response to trauma or stress in humans. Two long alleles on the other
hand, gave their carriers a good chance of bouncing back under negative circumstances. In other words, as a group, children with two risky alleles lost out badly when their environments failed them, children with one risky allele were at some risk and children with good resilience alleles often carried a shield. The risky variation of the gene doesn't confer vulnerability, though, if an individual who carries it never experiences abuse or serious stress — in other words, it's not a "depression gene" in any general sense. It seems that only under dire circumstances — abuse, the strife of war, chronic stress, — is the gene triggered. Eventually scientists hope to understand more about other genes that most likely play a role like 5-HTT's.
This assignment has helped me to better understand the perspectives of those people who have experienced, suffered, and lived through traumatic events in their lives. I have had some jobs throughout the years, where I had the opportunity to work with children who have suffered some very traumatic experiences, and after reading these articles I found myself reflecting back to some of their stories, and I cannot help but feel for them. But these same children displayed courage and a sense of “I am capable”, which helped them to take charge of their own life and what they wanted to accomplish, and for that I commend them. Also, this assignment has caused me to think reflectively about my own upbringing, and how I have become the person that I am today. Often times I realize that I could have had it worse, especially when you hear about or read about other people and their adversities, but I believe that our experiences however good or bad they may be, ultimately the choice is ours. We each have the ability to choose to remain a victim, or to choose to rise above our circumstances. A major life change for me came when I joined the United States Army. This decision has proved to be one of the most difficult and challenging decisions that I have ever made, but after it was all said and done, I ended up gaining a whole new perspective on life, and I am thankful for that experience, and lessons that I have learned. I especially enjoyed this quote given in the article by Leah Nelson, “Everything in the environment we live in now was completely imaginary at one point and time” (APS By Leah Nelson). This brings an understanding that things change, but we also are in charge of our own outcome in life, and this brings me comfort and a greater sense of purpose and excitement for the life experiences ahead of me.
References
Jenson, J. M., & Fraser, M. W. (2006) . A Risk and Resilience Framework for Child,
Youth, and Family Policy.
Luthar, S. S. (2000). The Construct of Resilience: A Critical Evaluation and Guidelines for
Future Work, 543.
Nelson, L. (2006). A Learning Machine. Plasticity and Change Throughout Life, APS
Observer, 27-28.