What role do positive emotions play in resilience?

Positive emotions play a significant role in resilience by helping to counteract the adverse effects of negative emotions. When individuals experience positive emotions, such as joy, gratitude, or contentment, these feelings can help "undo" or diminish the impact of stress and negative experiences. This process is associated with what is known as the "broaden-and-build" theory, which suggests that positive emotions expand one's awareness and encourage novel and varied thoughts and actions.

By fostering a positive emotional state, individuals are often able to recover more quickly from stress and build a sense of well-being that enables them to navigate challenges more effectively. This emotional resilience is instrumental in helping individuals to bounce back from adversity and maintain a healthy perspective despite the presence of negative experiences.

Other options, while addressing various aspects of emotions, do not encapsulate the critical function of positive emotions in resilience as effectively.