Resiliency

Definition:• Resiliency is the capacity to maintain competent

functioning in spite of adversity or life stressors

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Behavioral research findings on resiliency

• It is developed over time with environmental support

• Despite hardships, resilient individuals developcoping skills that enable them to succeed in life

• They have strong commitment to self and/or their God, willing to deal with problems

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• They have a positive attitude, strong sense of purpose & internal focus of control—seeing obstacles as challenges that can be overcome

• They have strong ability using religious faith to maintain a positive vision of life

• It’s about hope. They have a sense that adversity can be overcome

• These individuals focus on factors that account for success

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I Individual Attributes

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• Easygoing temperament or disposition

• Intellectual capabilities

• Realistic appraisal of the environment

• Self-efficacy

• Social skills

• Sense of direction or mission

• Capacity to understand and respond to other’s feelings

• Humor

• Adaptive distancingYouth Alive Training 5

II Family protective factors

• Consistent, warm, positive relationship with caring adult

• Positive family environment and bonding

• High but realistic parental expectations

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• Family responsibilities and household tasks

• Positive parental modeling of resilience and coping skills

• Extended support networks, including family and friends

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III School Protective Factors:

• Opportunities for involvement in school decision making

• High but realistic expectations for students’ performance

• Caring, supportive school atmosphere

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IV Community protective factors:

• Positive community norms • Opportunity for involvement

in community resources for children and families

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V Relationships(valuable, sincere & enduring relationships)

• With supportive older adults or mentors (teachers or clergy)

• With individuals who provide care, warmth, and unconditional love, give youth the sense that the odds faced in life can be overcome

• Presence of charismatic adult with whom they identify and from whom they gather strength

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V Relationships (continued)(valuable, sincere & enduring relationships)

• Having at least one person in youth’s life who accepts them unconditionally, helps them to be resilient

• Resiliency to stressors of life, such as abusing peers, or violence in TV/movies, comes through supportive relationships!

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What can be done?

• School as a community• Role of adults

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School as a community

• Create an environment at school that is a refuge for students

• When students sense school as a community, they are less likely to engage in disruptive behavior or risk behaviors

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• Subjective appraisal of school leads to greater school interest

• Supportive academic environment and sense of belonging were predictors of resilience

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Important adult’s role

• Be involved in the lives of youth• Establish sincere and enduring

relationships with youth• Don’t expect perfection• Be there when they fail – just be

there to support them• Work to create a warm accepting

environment in the school community

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