Resilience at Work

CHAPTER 2

RESEARCHING STRESS AND RESILIENCY

In the 1970s, social science research on stress became fodder for human-potential movements that warned of its dangers. The prevailing attitude during this period advocated stress reduction over stress management. In 1974, one of Sal’s graduate students showed him a Family Circle magazine article that supported this position. It cautioned people against the perils of stressful experiences. The article even went so far as to suggest that people should avoid driving on heavily congested freeways whenever possible. Although most of us would like to avoid traffic congestion, getting to work and other important activities often rule out this option.

Sal’s experience and research contradicted this article’s ...