Resilience

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This is especially true for those who face adversity early in life, says Ann Masten, professor at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota.

According to Masten, resilience is built when people overcome difficulties and learn to recover. This trait helps them stay calm in the face of challenges, adapt, find solutions, and move forward, becoming pillars of support during tough times.

A 40-year study by psychologist Emmy Werner of the University of California, Davis, found that about 1/3 of children who grew up in high-risk environments still became confident, capable adults.

Compassion

Experiencing hardship helps people understand difficult feelings, making them more empathetic towards others. They easily put themselves in others' shoes, sensing pain or challenges without needing many words. This makes them reliable sources of support for friends seeking a listening ear and understanding.

Compassion is not just pity, but a human connection that helps build strong, genuine personal and professional relationships.

Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that those who experienced childhood adversity tend to develop greater empathy. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that more than 60% of adults who experienced childhood trauma reported being more empathetic to others' struggles.

Independence

Professor Robert Brooks of Harvard Medical School believes that children who have to be self-reliant from an early age cultivate a strong sense of independence. This trait enables them to make their own decisions, stand firm under pressure, and confidently forge their own paths without needing constant validation.

However, independence can also be a burden, making it difficult for them to accept help even when needed.

According to research by Ann S. Masten, professor at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, children who face adversity but can regulate their emotions, build secure attachments, and develop problem-solving skills maintain good academic performance and social integration.

Sharp intuition

Difficult childhoods often force people to notice details others overlook, developing sharp intuition, like a sixth sense. With the ability to read situations and people, they trust their gut feelings, often making accurate decisions and avoiding risks.

This intuition acts like an "inner radar," guiding them in the right direction and preparing them for potential scenarios.

Dr. Daniel Kahneman, psychology professor at Princeton University, suggests that the brain has two information processing systems: a fast, intuitive one and a slower, rational one. This combination helps people make effective decisions in complex situations.

A 2016 report by the American Psychological Association noted that more than 70% of adults rely on intuition for important choices, from career to personal relationships, and most consider those decisions correct.

Excessive responsibility

When childhood involves caring for oneself or others, individuals often develop a strong sense of responsibility, readily taking on and sometimes shouldering more than their share.

Research by Dr. Vincent Felitti, co-founder of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) at Kaiser Permanente, shows that early adversity can create a heightened sense of responsibility in adulthood. These individuals often prioritize others' needs, becoming pillars of support in their families or communities.

However, this burden of responsibility can lead to burnout. They find it hard to relax, always feeling the need to do something useful. A 2021 World Health Organization report found that 43% of global workers experience chronic stress due to work pressure and social obligations. Experts emphasize the importance of balancing responsibility with self-care for long-term mental health.

Overthinking

Childhood challenges can lead to a habit of overthinking. Individuals analyze situations from multiple angles, trying to predict outcomes and avoid risks. This is useful for decision-making, but if overused, it can cause stress and anxiety. The constant cycle of analysis makes it difficult to act or move forward.

Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, a psychologist at Yale University, suggests that repetitive thinking often stems from a need for self-preservation but can become a burden. Experts recommend practicing mindfulness and trusting intuition to reduce pressure, leading to clearer and more confident decisions.

Ngoc Ngan (Yahoo Life)