The hardiness personality characteristic denotes a measure of a person's ability to withstand a stressful situation while maintaining internal balance and without reducing their productivity. This concept was highlighted in the course of research on psychological factors that contribute to successful coping with stress and the reduction (or even prevention) of negative reactions to stressful situations.
Hardiness is formed in childhood and adolescence, although theoretically, its development is possible at a later age, too.
The concept of hardiness is closely related to optimism, religiosity, as well as the features of the Big Five test, however, they should be considered separately and not confused when creating an individual's psychological profile.
The applied aspect of hardiness is due to the role that this personality variable plays in a person's success in facing stressful situations, primarily in professional activity. According to research data, hardiness turns out to be a key personality variable that reduces the influence of stress factors on somatic and mental health, as well as on the success of adaptation to a new type of activity, to new cultural and social conditions.
