Neural and Psychological Correlates of Resilience After Traumatic Events in Predicting Long-Term Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

resilience, maintaining adaptive functioning and psychological well-being. This review examines the neural and psychological correlates of resilience and their predictive role in long-term mental health outcomes. Neural mechanisms associated with resilience include prefrontal cortex structure and connectivity with the amygdala and hippocampus, which support cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, and adaptive stress responses. Psychological mechanisms encompass appraisal, coping strategies, mastery, and rumination. Importantly, resilience reflects a dynamic, iterative process in which neural and psychological systems interact bidirectionally to shape recovery trajectories. Predictive models integrating demographic, neural, and psychological biomarkers demonstrate the potential to forecast mental health outcomes post-trauma, informing prevention, intervention, and resilience-enhancing strategies. Understanding the interplay of these factors is critical for elucidating why some individuals thrive despite adversity while others develop chronic stress-related psychopathology.