Resilience is the process of successfully adapting to various challenges or extremely threatening circumstances (Ungar et al., 2013; Ungar, Russell, & Connelly, 2014). Resilient children develop protective responses during times of uncertainty, threat, and surprise. It is an active process involving the interaction of vulnerability, risk, and protective aspects (Benard, 2004). Resilient children experience positive results in their development despite the extreme challenges they encounter (Martin, 2013).
Individuals become resilient in response to internal and external factors that they have, which are called protective factors. These protective mechanisms are developed within children by having good role models and access to adequate home, school, and community support (Im, Hughes, Kwok, Puckett, & Cerda, 2013; Ungar et al., 2013). These protective factors help to buffer adversity. The greater the protective factors, the more likely it is that a person will persevere through life’s difficulties (Ungar, Russell, & Connelly, 2014). The literature identified a number of protective factors found among children who were anticipated to struggle, yet experienced positive outcomes (Benard, 1993). Ungar et al. (2013) observed that a large percentage of children who grow up in adverse environments display resilience by overcoming the challenges that confront them.
Various models help refine the various aspects of resilience theory (Ungar et al., 2013), such as the universal
Resilience, when asked to define and explain the act of being resilient, can be a hard thing to describe. It is something everyone must be at one point in their lives, and what some people must be every day. There are different levels to it, depending on what the person is going through at the time. However, resilience is commonly described as just staying strong in a tough situation or time in a person’s life. When something goes wrong, or something bad happens, the person affected doesn’t let it break them. They stand strong against whatever is being thrown at them, but they bend when they need to. Someone who is resilient is flexible, making sure they don’t crack under pressure. As Robert Jordan said in The Fires of Heaven, “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
One must wonder how a person with Steve’s shocking childhood could grow into a man who is successful, not only in his career but in his personal life as well. Resilience theory is a possible explanation as to why Steve survived, despite the odds that were stacked against him. Resilience theory is a strength based approach which provides a framework that focuses on positive outcomes and not just the negative ones. The idea is that it promotes what works best while de-emphasizing psychopathology. Resilience theory defines resilience and possesses several key terms, which include protective/risk factors. Research on resilience has been valuable in directing attention toward youth who succeed in spite of high levels of stress and economic instability, as it identifies factors that can serve as protective functions which foster competence.
Resilience is about how an individual deals, resists, recovers and learns from adversity’s in life. If a child is resilient they are less likely to be damaged as a result of negative experiences and are more likely to learn from and move on. In order for a child to be resilient they need to believe in themselves and have others they can rely on in their lives.
On the other hand some factors work against one’s resiliency such as an absence of a parent, violence, and abuse. Being resilient is an ability learned throughout a person’s life and experiences. It cannot be taught but must be
Resilience is about being independent, standing on your own two feet or taking back the power.
For some people the strong word resilience can impact one’s life in a significant way. Overall, resiliency is having the ability to still enjoy and continue your life with positive, good times, regardless of a hard past or bad experience. It can be shown in various ways throughout a text, including the setting, the plot, and characterization. This is how the texts, The Other Wes Moore, The Art of Resilience, and The Third and Final Continent share their common theme. This theme the three texts convey is that resiliency is vital for a positive as well as successful life.
There are varieties of definitions in regards with resilience based on different perspectives (Arrington et al., 2000). For instance, from a developmental perspective, resilience can be defined as positive and successful outcomes despite challenging situations (Masten, 2007; Windle, 2010). Resilience can also be defined as recovery to normal functioning from adversity or coping well under currently risk conditions (Masten, 2007; Windle, 2010). However, not every language has the word “resilience”. For example, a phrase, “the ability to cope with adversity” (Ungar et al.,
Resilience is the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats and sources of stress. In terms of children, it is how well a child copes with events that happen in their lives such as starting or changing schools, illness or death of a close relative. These events cannot be prevented but can be overcome. Being resilient does not mean that children won't experience difficulty or distress; however child practitioners can help children to manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty and overcome difficulties.
Resilience, fundamentally, is the ability to bounce back from hardship and the phenomenon of overcoming stress or adversity, for example: personal crises, poverty, mental illness and trauma (Occupational Health & Wellbeing, 2012). This skill can help individuals overcome the most difficult of situations (Occupational Health & Wellbeing, 2012). Resilience theorists generally agree that the presence of protective factors can reduce the effects of exposure to adversity. The more protective factors (or “assets”) available, the more resilient a person will be. Protective factors are conditions or attributes that help people deal more effectively with stressful events and eliminate risk. On the contrary, risk factors are attributes or characteristics
Resilience is defined as, “the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens” (Merriam Webster par 1). Resilience is shown when people use their strength when dealing with adversity. When people are experiencing negative circumstances resilience may lead to positive outcomes (PBS Par 1).
Resilience is a term that is often applied to those who have faced hardship and viewed the experience in a positive light as an opportunity to grow and change for the better (Wagnild & Collins, 2009). The definition however seems to vary from place to place. Ungar et al. (2008) stated “definitions of resilience are ambiguous when viewed across cultures" (p.174) which is why the understanding of resilience may be difficult to capture (as cited in Windle, Bennett & Noyes, 2011). Although the literature agrees on several common themes about resilience there are many varying opinions on how to define the concept or the attributing factors. Earvolino-Ramirez (2007) and
This paper will examine the concepts of risk, protective factors, and resiliency. The paper will start with defining and elaborating on the concepts of risk and protective factors and examine how the latter promotes or hinders an individual’s capacity for resiliency. The paper will expound on the concepts of risk, protective factors and resiliency, by integrating the terms into the case study of Will Quinones. Lastly, the paper will conclude with strategies that can be used to promote resiliency in children that are deemed at- risk.
Vulnerability and resilience among children continues to be a popular topic in research of developmental psychology. The two definitions are closely tied together as they are considered both sides to the spectrum. Schaffer (2006) defines vulnerability and resilience “as the susceptibility to develop malfunctioning following exposure to stressful life events, as opposed to the capacity to maintain competent functioning stress”. If stressful life events are the trigger here, why is it that some children are far more vulnerable, yet others are more resilient? The three studies discussed in this paper will attempt to explain why these differences occur and what can we do to enhance protective factors.
The resilience methodology seeks to build on strengths and strengthen the supports and opportunities of the child. Resilience plays a vital role in assisting a child in settling into a new placement, without experiencing major emotional difficulties. Three factors that promote resilience are secure base, Self-esteem and Self-efficacy(Grotberg, 2000). These can be influenced by positive experiences on a daily basis, some which will be highlighted throughout the assignment.
First of all, I would like to define what resilience is. Major scholars believe it is the process to recover from trauma, or the ability to respond to adversity. According to Sergeant and Laws-Chapman (2012), resilience refers to “the ability to adapt to adverse conditions while maintaining a sense of purpose, balance, and positive mental and