At the present stage of development of our society, the approach of scientists is aimed at studying the phenomenon of resistance as an interdisciplinary problem. The publications of foreign researchers have established that the phenomenon of "resistance" is considered in three main approaches: cognitive behaviorism, constructivism, ecological realism. There is no clear understanding of the phenomenon of resistance in domestic studies: some scientists identify themselves with the concept of "viability" and consider it as an innate quality of personality, whereas others, in the context of adaptation/maladaptation, as competence or skill, as well as the ability to adequately meet and overcome adverse situations and difficulties.  The article establishes that the phenomenon of "resistance" is a category of internal human resources: the ability of a person to emotional self-regulation in stressful situations, the degree of physical, mental and psychological viability. On the other hand, the concept of resistance organically includes external factors affecting human behavior, in particular social factors. The authors claim that overcoming unfavorable human life situations, recovery and development using internal and external resources.