Blog post: Optimism plus opportunity is a great foundation for resilience

The R-NEET project has a blog that will run for the duration of the project funding. In this post, Prof Michael Ungar reflects on the relationship between optimism and resilience can significantly boost well-being, especially in times of stress, by helping individuals maintain a positive outlook and protect against issues like loneliness and depression. However, optimism alone is not enough if the necessary resources and opportunities for success are unavailable. While optimists are generally more resilient and better able to cope with trauma, their ability to thrive is limited without support from their environment, such as family networks, community resources, and opportunities to succeed. The R-NEET project acknowledges the importance of optimism but emphasizes that it must be paired with practical support and opportunities for youth, particularly those facing challenges like unemployment or lack of education, in order to truly foster resilience and success.