Resilience and resilience factors in children in residential care: A systematic review

Abstract

Young people raised in residential care settings are more vulnerable to poor mental health than peers in the general population. Resilience can protect mental health and promote recovery from adversity. The lack of a single clear conceptualisation of resilience reflects its complex, multifaceted nature, but create obstacles for measurement in this population. This review explored the conceptualisation, operationalisation and measurement of resilience in children and adolescents living in residential care settings. Databases were investigated up to November 2017 and fifteen studies were included. Among the resilience-related factors found, those promoting interpersonal relationships and development of a future focus and motivation were particularly noticeable. Overall, adolescents in residential care were reported as being more vulnerable and presenting more problems compared to peers. Higher levels of resilience were associated with better developmental outcomes. Recommendations are made to systematically include and evaluate resilience promoting design and interventions in residential care settings.

Social-Ecological Resilience Moderates the Effectiveness of Avoidant Coping in Children Exposed to Adversity: An Exploratory Study in Lithuania

“…At the same time, social-ecological aspects of resilience are considered to be external protective factors in the adjustment of at risk children: whether formal or informal, supportive relations have been shown to exert a remarkable effect on outcomes for youth in at-risk situations ( Sanders et al, 2017 ; Lou et al, 2018 ). In particular, supportive parental interactions with the child and extended social support ( Benzies and Mychasiuk, 2009 ; Bhana and Bachoo, 2011 ), spirituality and a sense of connectedness within the community ( Black and Lobo, 2008 ), positive peer relationships ( Benzies and Mychasiuk, 2009 ), availability of professionally administered psychosocial support ( Vermeulen and Greef, 2015 ), and good schools ( Amatea et al, 2006 ; Bhana and Bachoo, 2011 ) have been implicated in positive outcomes in populations exposed to adversities.…”

Honneth and positive identity formation in residential care

“…Although it might be difficult to create opportunities for children and young people in residential care to access “a community of value” where they have the “opportunity for full self‐realization” (Honneth, , p. xvii), efforts in this direction are important. This is because participating in leisure activities can have a normalizing influence (Quarmby et al, ) and because promoting prosocial behaviour develops resilience, social competence leading to self‐confidence, self‐respect, and self‐esteem in a residential setting (Lou, Taylor, & Di Folco, ; Luksik & Hargasova, ). Having said this, it is also equally important to note that being able to access “a community of value” is complicated particularly for those children and young people in residential child care who experience feelings of loss, grief, betrayal of trust, emotional pain, are traumatized, isolation, anxiety, shame and of having no control, joy, or hope, and dislocated from their families and their local communities (Jackson, McKenzie, & Frederico, , p. 105).…”

Mental Image of an Adopted Child as a Regulator of Guardians’ Activities

“…The sociological surveys aimed at analysing public opinion among the Russians about guardians who raise orphans have revealed a predominantly positive attitude toward such families. However, as for the image of an adopted child, researchers noted the dominance of negative assessments and opinions (Kuznetsova, 2003;Lou et al, 2018). According to the research, the Russians view an orphan as an aggressive, ill-mannered person, closed to others and poorly prepared for adult life.…”