Nunes, Ana Raquel (2020) Determinants of general and specified resilience to extreme temperatures. Weather, Climate, and Society, 12 (4). pp. 913-928. doi:10.1175/wcas-d-19-0078.1 ISSN 1948-8335.

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Abstract

Extreme temperatures impact human health and well-being. Yet, very little empirical evidence exists on what determines human resilience, both in general and in relation to specified extreme temperatures. This paper addresses this serious gap in knowledge by developing a quantitative measure of general resilience (i.e., the resilience of individuals to all daily life circumstances). This is complemented with qualitative elicitations of specified resilience (i.e., the resilience of individuals to a particular type of threat, stress, or event), which in this study are extreme heat and extreme cold. This research uses the “sense of coherence” (SOC) approach (i.e., Orientation to Life Questionnaire—SOC-13 scale) to develop a general resilience index (GRI) using a composite index approach and to develop assessments of heat-related resilience (HRR) and cold-related resilience (CRR) using primary data from mixed-method interviews with 52 older people living in Lisbon, Portugal. The findings show that most participants exhibited high levels of general resilience but low levels of specified resilience. In particular, resilience to cold was lower than resilience to heat. Sources of general and specified resilience were found to be dependent on cognitive, behavioral, and motivational factors in older people’s lives. The findings reveal that believing threats (e.g., extreme temperatures) are structured and ordered, perceiving that assets are available to respond to them, and feeling it is worth responding are sources of resilience. Concrete policy recommendations can be generated from this study by both central and local governments to strengthen resilience. These can take the form of programs, plans, and actions that support individuals and enable them to better deal with challenging life events such as extreme temperatures and to improve both general and specified resilience.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare Q Science > QP Physiology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
SWORD Depositor:	Library Publications Router
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Climatic changes -- -- Portugal -- Lisbon, Extreme environments -- Physiological aspects -- Portugal -- Lisbon, Human beings -- Effect of high temperatures on -- Portugal -- Lisbon, Resilience (Personality trait), Emergency management -- Portugal -- Lisbon, Resilience (Personality trait) in old age -- Portugal -- Lisbon
Journal or Publication Title:	Weather, Climate, and Society
Publisher:	American Meteorological Society
ISSN:	1948-8335
Official Date:	1 October 2020
Dates:	Date Event 1 October 2020 Published 20 October 2020 Available 15 September 2020 Accepted
Volume:	12
Number:	4
Page Range:	pp. 913-928
DOI:	10.1175/wcas-d-19-0078.1
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Copyright Holders:	© 2020 American Meteorological Society
Date of first compliant deposit:	18 February 2021
Date of first compliant Open Access:	1 October 2021

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