A Multi-Criteria Classification of Human Resilience in the Context of Systemic Socioeconomic Challenges

Abstract

Contemporary socioeconomic changes driven by economic crises, security threats, technological transformation, labour-market shifts, and forced population displacement have increased the importance of human resilience. An individual’s capacity to preserve, adapt, and restore essential life capabilities depends not only on personal characteristics but also on the social environment, available resources, and the nature of external challenges. The aim of this study is to develop a multi-criteria classification of human resilience in the context of systemic socioeconomic challenges. The methodological framework combines analysis and synthesis, comparative analysis, the classification method, a systems approach, and logical generalization. The study examines Ukrainian and international scholarly approaches to understanding, structuring, and classifying human resilience and identifies their commonalities and differences. The study refines the conceptual understanding of human resilience and distinguishes it from related concepts. Existing approaches to the classification and structuring of resilience are systematized. A multi-criteria classification of human resilience is proposed based on five analytically differentiated dimensions: context of formation and support, domain of manifestation, nature of the systemic challenge, response mechanism, and resource base. The functional relationships among these dimensions are substantiated, and their possible combinations in specific life situations are illustrated. The theoretical contribution lies in systematizing approaches to human resilience and distinguishing between different dimensions of its classification. The practical relevance of the proposed classification lies in its potential to serve as a methodological basis for the future development of human resilience assessment tools. The scientific novelty lies in structuring human resilience through analytically differentiated dimensions that address distinct aspects of resilience: the context in which it is formed, the sphere in which it is manifested, the challenge to which an individual responds, the response mechanism employed, and the resources mobilized. Unlike existing multidimensional approaches that primarily describe resilience across systems, processes, factors, or outcomes, the proposed classification separates these analytical dimensions and establishes their functional roles within a single classification framework. This makes it possible to characterize a specific manifestation of human resilience without conflating its context, manifestation, response mechanism, and resource determinants. Further research should focus on developing a system of indicators for each dimension and a methodology for the comprehensive assessment of human resilience.