The transition to motherhood is a period of psychological vulnerability but also offers important opportunities to refine and strengthen resilience capacities that support long-term mental health. The Systematic Self-Reflection Model of Resilience Strengthening proposes dynamic, reciprocal relationships between self-reflection, coping insight, and capacities for resilience, but this model has not been tested during the transition to motherhood. We aimed to clarify: (i) how self-reflection and coping insight change across this life transition, and (ii) to examine the relationships among self-reflection, coping insight, and depressive symptoms in first-time mothers. It explored their bidirectional and indirect interactions, with a focus on how these processes contribute to resilience and mental health. First-time pregnant women in Australia (N = 147) completed longitudinal surveys across three time points (two prenatal, one postnatal). Multi-level modeling assessed changes in self-reflection, coping insight, and depressive symptoms over time, and tested mediating relationships at both within- and between-person levels. Cross-lagged panel models evaluated the directionality and reciprocity of these associations. Findings showed that coping insight consistently predicted lower depressive symptoms across multiple models. However, the pathway from self-reflection to insight was less stable, suggesting that reflection alone may not reliably foster adaptive insight. Conversely, depressive symptoms more consistently influenced later self-reflection indirectly via reduced insight, indicating that depression may undermine cognitive processes that support resilience. These findings provide novel evidence of how self-reflection, coping insight, and depression interact during the transition to motherhood, highlighting the importance of targeting coping insight in perinatal interventions to strengthen resilience and protect maternal mental health.

: How supervisors can optimize resilience training outcomes to safeguard employees during disruptive events is underexplored. Participants who completed workplace resilience training during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited (online n = 93; panel n = 201) and, using self-report, we examined whether supervisors supporting training enhanced training efficacy, wellbeing, and depression and anxiety symptoms, via two potential mediators: (i) training transfer and (ii) perceived supervisor support for the individual. Parallel mediations revealed that the effect of supervisor support for training was mediated by training transfer for training efficacy, while outcomes related to wellbeing and symptoms of depression and anxiety were mediated by supervisor support. To conclude, supervisor support for resilience training has the potential to enhance training outcomes during disruptive events.

Stress regulation is commonly conceptualised as behavioural responses to external stressors, often overlooking the perceptual processes shaping individual experience. This framing obscures the dynamic, hierarchical, and personally meaningful nature of regulation. In this paper, we introduce a unifying framework grounded in Perceptual Control Theory, proposing that the psychophysiology of stress is best understood as the control of perception rather than behaviour. Stress arises from a mismatch between current perceptions and internally held reference values - the desired states individuals strive to maintain. Within a hierarchical control system, these values are dynamically modified through experience. We argue that goal conflict - where simultaneous reference values cannot be satisfied, leading to persistent error - is the primary source of acute and chronic stress. Reorganisation, an adaptive process of structural change within the hierarchy, serves as the mechanism for resolving such conflict by revising reference values or creating new control systems. This perspective explains individual differences by focusing on controlled perceptions rather than standardised coping strategies. By formalising stress regulation as perceptual control, this approach bridges biological, psychological, and social dimensions. It offers a foundation for personalised interventions that target what individuals value most, rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions.

Emerging adulthood (18–25 years) is a period of identity exploration, autonomy, and transitions in relationships and responsibilities. While a time of vulnerability, it also offers opportunities for developing capacities for resilience, though little is known about how this process unfolds. For the first time, we provide an in-depth exploration of how coping-related self-insights gained from developmentally normative, but non-traumatic, stressors serve as a mechanism for refining resilient capacities. We examined the overarching narrative patterns within participants’ descriptions of stressor experiences, the types of coping-related insights that emerged through reflection, and how these insights were understood to influence resilience capacities. Participants (N = 34) completed two structured interviews about two personal stressors, spaced two months apart. Four narrative patterns were interpreted, representing distinct ways participants described coping and adaptation (good or bad) over time, with most demonstrating some form of coping-related insight and shifts in their capacities for resilience. The analysis revealed diverse forms of coping-related self-insight, including awareness of emotional, cognitive, and behavioural patterns; recalibration of expectations and values; and coping-related insights shaped by sociocultural context. These insights were interpreted as contributing to adaptive change across three resilience capacities: coping strategy application, resource use, and resilient beliefs. Findings demonstrated that developmentally normative stressors may be a catalyst for adaptation and refinement of resilient capacities in emerging adulthood. This study advances understanding of resilience development as a dynamic, contextually embedded process shaped by lived interaction with stressors and reflective self-awareness.

Self-reflection is central to adaptive stress regulation, yet little is known about when immersed versus distanced reflection optimises learning from stressful events. Drawing on Perceptual Control Theory, we propose that matching reflective stance to the emotional salience of stressors-adopting immersion for mild events and distancing for highly significant ones-optimises control-system reorganisation. This triple-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial will compare event-informed reflection against fixed self-immersed and self-distanced conditions using ecological momentary assessment. Two hundred and fifty emerging adults (aged 18-25) in the United Kingdom will complete three daily assessments over 14 days. Primary outcomes include stress reactivity (within-person stressor-negative affect slopes) and coping self-insight. We hypothesise that event-informed reflection will attenuate stress reactivity and enhance coping self-insight relative to fixed stances, with coping self-insight mediating effects on reactivity. Dynamic structural equation modelling with Bayesian estimation will test these predictions.

Workplace incivility is a common experience with detrimental individual and organizational outcomes. Personal resources such as recovery experiences can help individuals demonstrate resilience to such adversity. Yet, it remains unknown whether different approaches to daily work recovery contribute to different resilience outcome dimensions. The current study investigated whether psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control recovery experiences were differentially associated with resilience. We assessed resilience across the burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment using a residual approach. Participants were 289 local government professionals who completed self-report measures of recovery experiences, workplace incivility, and burnout. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed distinct patterns of associations. For emotional exhaustion resilience, psychological detachment and relaxation recovery opportunities were significant predictors. In contrast, none of the recovery experiences were associated with depersonalization resilience. For personal accomplishment resilience, only the mastery recovery opportunities emerged as a significant predictor. For comparison, psychological detachment and mastery experiences predicted higher scores on a conventional unidimensional trait resilience measure. These findings underscore the value of conceptualizing resilience as a multidimensional construct, as different recovery experiences appear to contribute to resilience in specific outcome domains. The results suggest that tailoring resilience-building strategies to target the unique needs and challenges faced by employees exposed to workplace incivility may be more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach. Continued research is needed to further elucidate the complex interplay between personal resources, workplace demands, and multifaceted resilient functioning.

Elite sport involves confronting stressors that can disrupt athletes' functionality and harm their psychological well-being. Reflecting on these stressors is crucial for gaining insights into coping strategies and future adaptations. We aimed to examine the coping insights developed from engagement in these reflective practices. Via a qualitative analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial, athletes were randomized to a self-distanced (n = 33) or self-immersed condition (n = 33) and guided to reflect systematically on a key stressor each week over a five-week period. Using an established self-reflection and coping insight framework to guide our framework analysis, we interpreted both similarities and differences between groups across various coping insights. Athletes exhibited signs of self-awareness, trigger identification, and re-appraisal, regardless of their reflective perspective. However, athletes from both groups reported limited insight into values consideration, evaluation, and fostering a future-focus. Stressors reported by athletes were predominantly mild in magnitude or "everyday" in nature. Our findings highlight the need for robust examinations of the self-reflection approach to unlock higher-level insights (future-focus, evaluation of coping strategies) that can enhance resilient capacities. Challenges with recruitment and retention highlights the need for pilot and feasibility analyzes before progressing to fully powered randomized controlled trials with athlete populations.

Theoretical developments underscore the need to expand beyond traditionally explored job design features to understand the employee experience, including non-work resources and demands and individual-level cognitive-emotional processes. Such complexity requires analytical methods capable of modeling multivariate and interrelated constructs. This study contributes to this effort by examining the experiences of Royal Australian Navy personnel through a multidimensional lens, modeling the interplay between demands, resources, and cognitive-emotional processes. Using novel analytical methods, we provide a foundation for exploring complex interactions between demands, resources, and cognitive-emotional processes on diverse employee outcomes. Using large-scale cross-sectional data from 558 navy personnel (75.8

Resilience training offered to military personnel often fails to reinforce training practices into routine military activities. We describe the implementation of a supervisor-led after action review designed to provide personnel with frequent opportunities for the supervisor reinforced application of resilience training skills at work. This paper provides a roadmap for engaging supervisors to support this program and details strategies used across its design and their contribution to implementation fidelity. Strategies included iterative stakeholder engagement in co-design and the use of mixed-methods data collection, including field observational ratings, open ended survey questions, and focus group interviews. The design and implementation process are reported in two phases: initial and re-implementation phases. Chi-square analyses and t-tests of initial phase data indicated that the after action review designed to guide the application of resilience training skills was distinct from preexisting after action reviews of tactical skills and drills. Reflexive interpretations of instructor feedback guided refinement to the extension and subsequent re-implementation phase data indicated implementation fidelity. When engaging leaders and resilience non-specialists in activities that support military resilience training, we recommend involving stakeholders in the design and implementation process, responding flexibly to their concerns, and balancing their experienced work change demands with appropriate resources.

This research challenges the a priori classification of time pressure and job complexity as challenge stressors and seeks to illuminate the emergence of different appraisal configurations using a latent profile approach. The sample consisted of 629 employees (66.1% male). Employees who appraised time pressure and job complexity as challenges reported higher job satisfaction and work engagement and felt less emotionally exhausted and mentally stressed compared to those with dominant hindrance/threat appraisals. Employees who report to be more resilient and have autonomy are more likely to fall into a Dominant Challenge Appraisal profile. Those who face high emotional demands are more likely to be in a Dominant Hindrance/Threat Appraisal profile. This research offers a fresh perspective on why it is essential for employers to consider their teams' perceptions and resources when introducing new tasks or deadlines. By providing employees with adequate resources, organizations can promote a more adaptive approach to work challenges.JEL Classification: L20, L29, L00

High performance sport consists of stressor events which can disrupt an athletes' functioning and negatively influence performance. The way in which one reflects upon stressor events and develops insights regarding how they coped is essential to overcoming similar experiences in the future. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial with a qualitative analysis to explore the coping insights among 48 highly trained/national level swimmers in the lead up to major swimming competitions, who reflected on stressor events from self-distanced or self-immersed perspectives over a 3-week period. Using the self-reflection and coping insight framework as a guideline, we captured divers coping insights across both groups. Irrespective of the group to which they were assigned, athletes showed positive signs towards re-interpreting their stressor experience and embracing the stressor event, whereas consideration of individual values and adoption of a future-focus viewpoint were areas lacking. The emotionality described by athletes in their written reflections varied across both groups and influenced the development of coping insights. Our findings indicate a necessity to examine the emotionality associated with unique stressor events and consider integrating reflection strategies, while also enhancing the operational definitions within conceptual models of stress reflection protocols.

Evidence supports the effectiveness of self-reflective training approaches for the development of resilience. Building this work, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the focus of coping self-reflective activities on resilience by applying a self-reflection approach to a sample of 254 Australian ministry workers. This randomized controlled trial included three attention-matched conditions: (1) self-reflective writing focused on successful coping, (2) self-reflective writing focused on unsuccessful coping or (3) written descriptions of stressor events alone. Participants were assessed across four time points: prior to, immediately post, 3-months, and 6-months after the intervention. Results demonstrated that self-reflective writing was more effective in enhancing perceived resilience than descriptive writing. Analyses also showed greater maintenance of beneficial effects in the successful self-reflection condition, compared to the unsuccessful condition. These findings support the use of self-reflection training to strengthen individuals' psychological resilience, particularly when focused on successful coping situations for those who initially experience more ruminative thought.

Background Resilience refers to the process of demonstrating better outcomes than would be expected based on the adversity one experienced. Resilience is increasingly measured using a residual approach, which typically assesses adversity and mental health outcomes over a longitudinal timeframe. It remains unknown to what extent such a residual-based measurement of resilience is sensitive to variation in acute stress resilience, a candidate resilience factor. Methods Fifty-seven emerging adults enrolled in tertiary education completed measures of adversity and emotional experiences. To assess stress recovery, participants were exposed to a lab-based adverse event from which a Laboratory Stress Resilience Index was derived. Results We derived a residual-based measure of emotional resilience from regressing emotional experience scores onto adversity scores. This residual-based measure of emotional resilience predicted variance in the Laboratory Stress Resilience Index over and above that predicted by both a traditional resilience measure and the emotional experiences measure. These findings suggest that acute stress resilience may be a factor underpinning variation in emotional resilience, and that the residual-based approach to measuring resilience is sensitive to such variation in stress resilience.

Self-insight has been associated with psychological resilience; however, less is understood about the role coping-specific self-insights play in strengthening resilience. This study used a convergent mixed-methods approach to investigate the coping self-insights triggered by self-reflection on coping experiences and their effects on perceived resilience. Australian ministry workers (n = 79) provided up to five qualitative self-reflective workbook entries, and quantitative online self-report survey responses before and six months after training. Hierarchical regression analyses of weighted quantized coping-specific self-insights on perceived resilience were conducted. Results suggest two pathways for the strengthening of resilience. A set of three self-insights related to greater perceived resilience appear to reinforce and sustain resilient beliefs across six months to increase perceived resilience. Another set of four self-insights is related to lesser perceived resilience after six months. It is suggested that the first set of self-insights may enhance beliefs that support resilience in the mid-term, whereas the second set may promote self-awareness that reduces perceived resilience in the mid-term. These findings support further exploration of coping self-insights, and the use and on-going testing of self-reflection resilience training.

This study seeks to enhance understanding of mental health trajectories across Navy deployments and the predictors of those trajectories by exploring a range of job design and individual-level factors. Personnel from the Royal Australian Navy were surveyed on pre-deployment, mid-deployment, and post-deployment. At pre-deployment, there were 559 (Mage = 30.19; male = 75.5%) survey responses, N = 112 survey responses could be linked at all time points (retention rate of 20.04% across all time points), and 314 personnel (56.2%) responded at least twice. Latent class growth analyses and growth mixture models were used to determine the trajectories that best fit the data. Separate models were developed for each of the mental health outcomes studied (i.e. psychological distress, perceived resilience, and perceived stress), plus a latent outcome representing a summary measure of psychological ill-health. This latent outcome, estimated as the most comprehensive assessment approach, was used to evaluate all 33 predictors. Consistent with previous work, we identified between two and four trajectories reflecting resilient/low symptom trajectories and heterogeneous symptom trajectories. There were a greater proportion of personnel in the heterogeneous symptom trajectories than identified in previous research. A key contribution of this work is the thorough comparison and ranking of factors that influence the deployment experience. We emphasize the importance of role demands and resources in determining these trajectories when compared directly to self-regulation strategies. Study findings highlight important implications for job design for military personnel during deployment and underscore the importance of adopting a holistic system approach to well-being.

We conducted a pre-registered systematic review of seven databases and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with athletes to examine the effectiveness of stress regulation interventions on performance outcomes, and the conditions under which their effects are strongest. We found a positive and significant moderate overall effect of stress regulation interventions on performance outcomes (65 effects, k = 21, N = 2022, g = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.84) and a significant large effect on physiological outcomes (28 effects, k = 10, N = 368, g = 2.13, se = 0.81, 95% CI = .47, 3.79), yet the effect on psychological dimensions was statistically inconsequential (28 effects, k = 10, N = 787, g = 0.35, 95% CI = -0.12, 0.81). Sensitivity and meta-bias analyses generally supported the robustness of the pooled effect of stress regulation interventions on athlete performance, yet the prediction intervals suggested some interventions may be inefficacious or detrimental for athlete performance. The strongest effects on performance were observed at follow-up when compared with post-test. Collectively, our findings offer a high-quality assessment on the effectiveness of stress regulation interventions for athlete performance and provide direction for future research in terms of conceptual and methodological issues.

BACKGROUND:Self-insights focused on the coping process are implicated in the refinement of capacities for resilience. To advance this research, we must identify key coping self-insights and develop a concise measurement tool.OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this paper is to develop evidence for the construct dimensionality and validity of a measure of coping self-insight.METHODS:Items measuring 13 coping self-insight dimensions were generated via consultation with theoretical work, subject matter experts, and pre-testing items for clarity. Thereafter, the dimensionality of items was assessed with undergraduate students (N = 232) and an online sample (N = 800) via exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Finally, a multi-trait, multi-method approach was used to test discriminant validity in a further sample of students (N = 228).RESULTS:The initial item list was reduced to five key dimensions that balanced data-driven and conceptual considerations. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed moderate-to-strong correlations (r = .47-.80) among dimensions. We also demonstrated evidence of internal reliability, convergent, criterion, and discriminant validity. Invariance tests for sub-groups of interest (e.g., sex, sample type) frequently demonstrated metric or scalar invariance, except for age sub-groups.CONCLUSIONS:Findings offer a starting point regarding the types of coping self-insights important for the emergence of resilience and a validated tool for future research.

ABSTRACT Background Meta-analyses of military deployment involve the exploration of focused associations between predictors and peri and post-deployment outcomes. Objective We aimed to provide a large-scale and high-level perspective of deployment-related predictors across eight peri and post-deployment outcomes. Design Articles reporting effect sizes for associations between deployment-related features and indices of peri and post-deployment outcomes were selected. Three-hundred and fourteen studies (N = 2,045,067) and 1,893 relevant effects were retained. Deployment features were categorized into themes, mapped across outcomes, and integrated into a big-data visualization. Methods Studies of military personnel with deployment experience were included. Extracted studies investigated eight possible outcomes reflecting functioning (e.g., post-traumatic stress, burnout). To allow comparability, effects were transformed into a Fisher’s Z. Moderation analyses investigating methodological features were performed. Results The strongest correlates across outcomes were emotional (e.g., guilt/shame: Z = 0.59 to 1.21) and cognitive processes (e.g., negative appraisals: Z = −0.54 to 0.26), adequate sleep on deployment (Z = −0.28 to – 0.61), motivation (Z = −0.33 to – 0.71), and use of various coping strategies/recovery strategies (Z = −0.25 to – 0.59). Conclusions Findings pointed to interventions that target coping and recovery strategies, and the monitoring of emotional states and cognitive processes post-deployment that may indicate early risk.

Creating a sustainable workplace for Navy personnel is vital for their wellbeing and retention. This qualitative study explores the interplay between job and personal demands, resources, and stress self-regulation strategies affecting psychological strain among Navy personnel during deployment. We conducted semi-structured key informant interviews with 25 Navy personnel (68% male) to determine the demands and resources at sea that affect psychological strain. The findings identified that individual differences in coping strategies (e.g., recovery management), abilities (i.e. ability to make social connections), and their mind-set about deployment (e.g., sense of purpose) were perceived to play a role in the experience of strain. Additionally, the presence of supportive peers and leaders was identified as a key resource, whereas external stressors (e.g., family crisis) and social tension onboard, amplified by confined spaces, were commonly reported demands. Our findings also contribute to a growing body of research suggesting a nuanced interaction between individual coping strategies and job design. Formal organizational support was identified as enabling adaptive self-regulation strategies, while the capacity to form and maintain positive relationships helped foster a sense of belonging, countering isolation. Another key contribution was the individual differences in the appraisal of resources offered by the organization and the potential importance of resource appraisal in how effective resources were perceived to be for addressing shipboard demands. We provide recommendations relating to targets for personnel training, interventions, and leadership in terms of communication, supporting day-to-day and equal opportunity for recovery, resource access, maintaining morale, and shaping the evaluation of demands.

This study explores how providing assisted dying services affects the psychological distress of practitioners. It investigates the influence of professional norms that endorse such services within their field. Study 1 included veterinarians (N = 137, 75.2% female, M-age = 43.1 years, SDage = 12.7 years), and Study 2 health practitioner students (N = 386, 71.0% female, M-age = 21.0 years, SDage = 14.4 years). In both studies, participants indicated their degree of psychological distress following exposure to scenarios depicting assisted dying services that were relevant to their respective situations. In Study 1, we found that higher willingness to perform animal euthanasia was associated with lower distress, as were supportive norms. In Study 2, a negative association between a greater willingness to perform euthanasia and lower psychological distress occurred only when the provision of such services was supported by professional norms. In conclusion, psychological distress is buffered by supportive professional norms.