Resiliency and hospitalization of children.

Hospitalization is regarded by most social and behavioral scientists and the general public as a stressful event that frequently leads to diminished abilities and increased anxiety, especially in young children. For some children, however, hospitalization may harden rather than weaken them. This article discusses the concept of resiliency and presents hypotheses about transactions between children's characteristics and hospital factors. Possible enhancement of children's personality is also explored and suggestions for facilitating resiliency are provided.