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Alisa Byteva, Higher School of Economics, RussiaAbstract
Although aging often leads to physical and emotional vulnerability, emerging scientific evidence suggests that stress can be a catalyst for resilience rather than decline. This article presents the STRIVE (Stress Transformation and Resilience through Intentional Values-based Empowerment) model, an integrative system designed specifically for older adults. Combining principles from cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative psychology, positive psychology, and neuroplasticity research, STRIVE views stress not as a threat but as a biopsychosocial signal. Core components of the model include triadic adaptation (body-mind-spirit alignment through biofeedback, cognitive reframing, and values clarification), resilience narratives (re-writing life stories to emphasize their adaptive power), intergenerational scaffolding (intergenerational peer mentoring), volitional flexibility (cognitive pivot training), and empowerment through legacy (channeling stress into meaningful, long-term contributions). The model utilizes both high-tech tools, such as wearable biofeedback devices and gamified applications, and low-tech, community-based approaches for accessibility. Drawing on cutting-edge theories such as polyvagal theory, social-emotional selectivity theory, and post-traumatic growth, STRIVE offers a holistic pathway for turning stress into a force for conscious evolution in later life.
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Conference: EGen2025Stream: Resilience
This paper is part of the EGen2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Byteva A. (2025) Stress as a Strategic Resource in Late Adulthood: Introducing the STRIVE Model for Psychological Resilience ISSN: 2435-4937 The European Conference on Aging & Gerontology 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 53-65) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-4937.2025.5
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-4937.2025.5
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