Strength Of Resilience
Resilience is the ability to deal with ups and downs of life and overcoming adversity and recovering from trauma successfully. It is based on early attachments and positive relationship with family and friends. Children and young people who have high levels of self-esteem and selfconfidence are better able to cope with life as they get older. Researchers have described resilience in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The intrinsic factors are seen as three main building blocks that is necessary for developing resilience and the extrinsic factors influence the strength of children’s resilience. Intrinsic Factors A secure base, provided by strong attachment relationship, usually with the main caregiver. This gives the child a sense
of belonging and security.
Good self-esteem, which gives the child an internal sense of worth and competence.
A sense of self-efficacy, which gives the child a sense of mastery and control, along with an accurate understanding of personal strengths and limitation.
Extrinsic Factors At least one secure attachment relationship Access to wider supports such as extended family and friends Positive school and community experiences
A child’s resilience is often evaluated on the balance between the risk factors and the protective factors in their life. Risk factors can influence children’s development and increase a poor outcome, for example: • Living in an unstimulating home environment or a violent neighbourhood • Experiencing abuse or other traumatic life events • Living with maternal depression or parental substance misuse Protective Factors can counteract risk factors and decrease the likelihood of poor outcome, for example: • Experiencing nurturing parenting • Having a confident, outgoing personality or high intelligence Resilient children usually have strong protective factors, which enable them to thrive in spite of adversity.
Those working with children and young people have this opportunity to develop strong relationship with children and give them a sense of belonging. By helping children to boost their self-esteem and self-confidence, you can help children to develop self-efficacy and an appreciation of their own strengths and limitations. You can also act as a positive role model and mentor and help children and young people to develop coping skills.
of belonging and security.
Good self-esteem, which gives the child an internal sense of worth and competence.
A sense of self-efficacy, which gives the child a sense of mastery and control, along with an accurate understanding of personal strengths and limitation.
Extrinsic Factors At least one secure attachment relationship Access to wider supports such as extended family and friends Positive school and community experiences
A child’s resilience is often evaluated on the balance between the risk factors and the protective factors in their life. Risk factors can influence children’s development and increase a poor outcome, for example: • Living in an unstimulating home environment or a violent neighbourhood • Experiencing abuse or other traumatic life events • Living with maternal depression or parental substance misuse Protective Factors can counteract risk factors and decrease the likelihood of poor outcome, for example: • Experiencing nurturing parenting • Having a confident, outgoing personality or high intelligence Resilient children usually have strong protective factors, which enable them to thrive in spite of adversity.
Those working with children and young people have this opportunity to develop strong relationship with children and give them a sense of belonging. By helping children to boost their self-esteem and self-confidence, you can help children to develop self-efficacy and an appreciation of their own strengths and limitations. You can also act as a positive role model and mentor and help children and young people to develop coping skills.