In spite of existing research, the chameleon-like nature of what is meant by resilience is evident in [Page 735]attempts to define it. Resilience has been defined as a protective mechanism that modifies an individual's response to risk; as the tendency to spring back, rebound, or recoil; and as a child's ability to succeed contrary to predictions.

Resilience is not a fixed attribute, nor is successful negotiation of one stressful life event predictive of positive future adapting. Over the past several decades, resiliency has garnered the interest of researchers whose foci have included cognition, trauma, at-risk youth, as well as giftedness in children. The link between resilience and intelligence is found in longitudinal studies, among racial/ethnic groups, and among children from middle-and lower-class homes.