L. A. Zoellner, and N. C. Freeny (eds): Facilitating Resilience and Recovery Following Trauma

Excerpt

In Facilitating Resilience and Recovery Following Trauma, Lori Zoellner and Norah Feeny have assembled more than thirty prominent researchers and scholars in their 14-chapter canvass of the many factors, particularly resiliency, that influence the course of trauma recovery. Their collective work provides an opportunity to refocus attention on the differences, rather than similarities, in how people cope and adapt to traumatic events. In fact, resiliency is described as the norm rather than exception in victim efforts to adapt to traumatic stress. The authors also offer common-sense wisdom about the possible risks of some well-intended, but poorly timed or otherwise ill-advised, intervention efforts. In their opening and closing chapters they remind practitioners of the importance of personalized assessments that recognize both natural and maladaptive recovery trajectories. To this extent this book is likely to be characterized by readers as hopeful and optimistic with an emphasis on individual strengths versus vulnerabilities. Interest in selected chapters may extend beyond the professional community to members of the general public, including trauma victims and their loved ones. …