A Network Model of The Flexibility Sequence

The study of psychological resilience outcomes post-trauma has grown in popularity, however the theoretical processes promoting resilience remains disparate and contested. Recent research has sought to quantitatively validate the Flexibility Sequence theory, however the evidence base lacks granular assessment of how the processes within this theory relate to each other.The current study seeks to address this via a novel examination of the associations between the components of the Flexibility Sequence (specifically Repertoire, Feedback & Monitoring) using a Network Analysis approach. Using data from a sample of trauma-exposed adults living in the UK (N=563), features of the Flexibility Sequence were assessed, including global network structure and centrality, bridging nodes, and shortest pathways between constructs.The Expected Influence indices highlighted links between the Flexibility Sequence components of perceived situational (self) control, emotional suppression, and strategy abandonment as being particularly central. Global network indices however highlighted several influential nodes across factors supporting the theorised importance of adaptivity and flexibility in psychological resilience processes.These findings provide useful suggestions for intervention and resilience promotion, but further emphasise the complexity of resilience processes. The resultant network of inter-relationships within the Flexibility Sequence may provide a roadmap to improved understanding of adaptive resilience processes.