Explanatory style refers to the way an individual habitually makes sense of life events. Fortunately, these attributional habits can be changed. People can be taught to interpret events in more positive ways through a process known as learned optimism. Interventions often focus on skills like recognizing and avoiding thinking traps, questioning negative beliefs, and relaxation. Training in healthier attribution habits has been proven to make people less vulnerable to depression. Examples of such interventions include the Penn Resiliency Program and the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program.

Explanatory Style and Learned Optimism Interventions

Character strengths are stable positive traits that are not bound to a specific culture.  Psychologists use the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) to classify these.

Character Strengths

Practicing gratitude (e.g., writing down 5 things you're grateful for) has been shown to increase positive emotions and resilience.  This practice can help people with stress and trauma to reframe their experiences, and can also help with sleep, optimism, and general happiness (among other things).

Practicing Gratitude

Resilient people are those who "bounce back" quickly after negative or stressful events.  Positive emotions promote resiliency by returning the body to equilibrium after stressful situations; more resilient people tend to experience more positive emotions.  Interventions for resilience ought to emphasize self-efficacy and competence, as well as altering one's explanatory style and cultivating character strengths.

Grand Valley State University

Positive emotions expand people's attention, cognition, and behaviors, which leads to the buildup of physical, intellectual, and social resources that can promote resilience.

The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions

A study discovered that in older adults’ self-esteem moderated the relationship between the traumatic history and internalizing disorders. This resiliency has also been found in those who practice some form of spirituality, those that have strong social support systems and those who have an intact sense of safety. Additionally, positive attitudes such as optimism is found to lead to positive action which help in maintaining a healthier lifestyle. 

Resiliency and Protective Factors for Childhood Trauma effects

Kobau, R., Seligman, M., Peterson, C., Diener, E., Zack, M. M., Chapman, D., & Thompson, W. (2011, August). Mental Health Promotion in Public Health: Perspectives and Strategies From Positive Psychology. American Journal of Public Health, 101(8), 1-9.

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