Fostering Resilience in
Children
Counseling 448
Interventions and Advocacy for Children
Resilience
Qualities
that foster a process of successful adaptation and transformation despite risk
and adversity.
Social
Competence
Responsiveness; also the
ability to elicit positive responses from others;
Flexibility; also to move
between different cultures;
Empathy;
Communication skills; and
A sense of humor
Problem Solving
The ability to plan;
To be resourceful in seeking
help from others;
To think critically,
creatively, and reflectively
Critical Consciousness
A reflective awareness of the
structures of oppression (it from an alcoholic parent, an insensitive school,
or a racist society);
Creating strategies to
overcome the oppression; i.e., "Your present situation is not your
permanent situation."
Autonomy
A sense of ones own identity;
An ability to act independently;
An
ability to exert control over one's environment, i.e., a sense of mastery,
internal locus
of control; and self-efficacy
A Sense of
Purpose
A sense of purpose and a
belief in a bright future:
Goal direction,
Educational aspirations,
Achievement motivation,
Persistence,
Hopefulness,
Optimism, and
Spiritual connectedness
Three
Major Protective Factors
Caring Relationships: A caring
teacher who is also a confidant and a positive model for personal
identification
High Expectations: A belief in
self and the future to foster self-esteem, self-efficacy, autonomy, and
optimism
Opportunities for
Participation: Opportunities for meaningful involvement
Risk
versus Resiliency Factors
Risk Factors rebelliousness
low self-esteem shyness anti-social behavior feeling helpless academic failure
lack of connectedness lack of positive role models lack of future goals
Resiliency
Factors
self control
high self esteem
communication skills
team member skills
decision making skills
altruism
academic success
positive contributions to school/community
positive role models
goal setting
Resiliency From a
Developmental Perspective
Resilient Infants:
alert
responsive to people and
objects gain attention from caregivers easily soothed
Resiliency
from a Developmental Perspective
Resilient Preschoolers:
Self confident
Independent
Highly involved in play
Advanced in locomotion,
communication, and self-help skills
Tolerant of frustration and
anxiety
Able to take risks and seek
assistance
Socially mature; relates to
others well
Resiliency
from a Developmental Perspective
Resilient School-age Children:
Good students
Enjoy classmates and teachers
Have a wide range of coping
skills
Enjoy humor
Develop meaningful
relationships
Resiliency
from a Developmental Perspective
Resilient Adolescents:
Well-functioning
Energetic
Future-oriented
Achievement-oriented
Responsible caring
Positive self-concept
Internal locus of control
Belief in self-help
"She's
depressed." "That kid's got an attention deficit disorder."
"He's got aids."
Strong images
are associated with diagnostic labels, and people act upon these images as
useful generalizations or harmful stereotypes.
Developmental
Assets
The"
capital" children and youth need to grow up healthy, caring and
responsible.
Developmental Assets are
External and Internal
Developmental
Assets
External Assets:
Support
Empowerment
Boundaries and Expectations
Constructive Use of Time
Developmental Assets
Internal Assets:
Commitment to Learning
Positive Values
Social Competencies
Positive Identity
External Developmental
Assets
Support
Family Support
Positive Family Communication
Other Adult Relationships
Caring Neighborhood
Caring School Climate
Parent Involvement in
Schooling
External Developmental
Assets
Empowerment
Community Values Youth as
Resources
Service to Others
Safety
External Developmental
Assets
Boundaries and Expectations
Family Boundaries
School Boundaries
Neighborhood Boundaries
Adult Role Models
Positive Peer Influence
High Expectations
External
Developmental Assets
Constructive Use of Time
Creative Activities
Youth Programs
Religious Community
Time at Home
Internal
Developmental Assets
Commitment to Learning
Achievement Motivation
School Engagement
Homework
Bonding to School
Reading for Pleasure
Internal Developmental Assets
Positive Values
C
Equality and Social Justice
Integrity
Honesty
Responsibility
Restraint
Internal
Developmental Assets
Social Competencies
Planning and Decision Making
Interpersonal Competence
Cultural Competence
Resistance Skills
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Internal Developmental
Assets
Positive Identity
Personal Power
Self-Esteem
Sense of Purpose
Positive View of Personal
Future
Social
Competence
Self Esteem
Assertiveness Skills
Decision-Making Skills
Friend-Making Skills
Planning Skills
Positive View of Personal
Future