Resilience concepts and findings: implications for family therapy

Abstract

Resilience is a term used to describe relative resistance to psychosocial risk experiences. There is abundant evidence that there is enormous variation in children's responses to such experiences but research to determine the processes underlying the variations needs to take account of several crucial methodological issues. The findings emphasize that multiple risk and protective factors are involved; that children vary in their vulnerability to psychosocial stress and adversity as a result of both genetic and environmental influences; that family-wide experiences tend to impinge on individual children in quite different ways; that the reduction of negative, and increase of positive, chain reactions influences the extent to which the effects of adversity persist over time; that new experiences which open up opportunities can provide beneficial 'turning-point' effects; that although positive experiences in themselves do not exert much of a protective effect, they can be helpful if they serve to neutralize some risk factors; and that the cognitive and affective processing of experiences is likely to influence whether or not resilience develops. The implications of these findings for family therapy are considered in terms of the need for therapists to look carefully at the ways in which different risk factors interact; to assess and take account of individual differences in susceptibility; to consider the extent to which risk factors impinge on the individual and, in that connection, to note the importance of patterns of social interaction outside as well as inside the family; to appreciate the role of both the peer group and individual characteristics in the development of negative and positive chain reactions; and to pay attention to the ways in which individuals process their experiences.During the last twenty or thirty years there has been a growing interest in the concept of resilience (Rutter, in press). The term refers to the phenomenon of overcoming stress or adversity. That is, put in more operational terms, it means that there has been a relatively good outcome for someone despite their experience of situations

The education of children in care: Agency and resilience

“…This is consistent with the provision of secure attachments and unconditional support (Howe, 1995). Raised self-esteem and self-efficacy can help convince individuals that they can overcome life's problems, rather than feel powerless (Rutter, 1999). A sense of achievement can give young people greater confidence to plan for the future.…”

Resilience in Family Members of Persons with Serious Mental Illness

“…However, additional studies to develop and test interventions for enhancing the characteristics constituting resilience in these family members are needed. Longitudinal studies that measure outcomes immediately after the 13 Zauszniewski, Bekhet & Suresy intervention and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the intervention would provide a picture of how resilience indicators can be enhanced and maintained. Also, intervention studies that include behavioral observation, rather than relying solely on self-report, are needed.…”

“…Although avoidance coping may be a less-than-optimal method for coping, it is possible that this coping method may also be protective; thus, risk factors in one context may be protective in another. 11,13,29 Protective/Positive Factors According to Rutter,30 protective factors reduce the effect of risk, decrease negative reactions to risk, promote resilience, and create opportunities for family caregivers, and include strategies for maintaining a positive success. Protective factors identified in studies of family members of adults with mental illness reflect their appraisal of the caregiving situation itself and their personal beliefs.…”

Exposição de adolescentes à violência em diferentes contextos: relações com a saúde mental

“…Essa exposição traz consequências negativas ao longo do desenvolvimento, como o aumento dos sintomas de transtornos mentais, ideação suicida, vivências traumáticas, desajustamento psicossocial, problemas externalizantes e internalizantes, comportamento agressivo, violência física, problemas de autoestima, ansiedade, comportamento sexual de risco, entre outros (Al-Krenawi et al, 2009;Benetti et al, 2010;Betancourt, Agnew-Blais, et al, 2010;Betancourt, Brennan, et al, 2010;Cano et al, 2009;Copeland-Linder et al, 2010;Haber & Toro, 2009;Lambert et al, 2012). Além dos estudos que discutem o impacto negativo da violência, outras pesquisas enfocam aspectos positivos e de enfrentamento frente à violência, investigando variáveis como o bem-estar, esperança e estratégias de coping (Eggerman & Panter-Brick, 2010;Epstein-Ngo et al, 2013;Nguyen et al, 2010;Wigderson & Lynch, 2013), numa perspectiva teórica da Psicologia Positiva (Rutter, 1999;Yunes, 2003). Estes aspectos são essenciais servindo como fatores de proteção tanto para a violência quanto para a doença mental.…”