2. Resiliency
The ability to bounce back from set backs and
overcome hardships
“Human personality is viewed as a self-righting
mechanism that is engaged in active, ongoing
adaptation to the environment.”
-Urie Bronfenbrenner
3. Is courageous
Is motivated to move forward
Knows him/herself
Laughs
Bounces back
Asks for help
Accomplishes goals
Shares feelings
Connect with others
Gives back
A Resilient Child…
4. Risk Factors: Family
Stressful pregnancy, fetal substance exposure, complications
Poor attachment, long maternal absences
Poverty, single parenthood
Crowded family, close born siblings
Frequent moves
Eric Vance, MD
5. Risk Factors: Child
“Difficult” temperament
Developmental delays, neurological disorder, mental retardation,
serious medical problem
Early aggression (<6 y/o)
Childhood psychiatric d/o
Early legal problems (<12 y/o)
School behavior problems or learning disorder
Eric Vance, MD
6. Risk Factors: Experiential
Exposure to violence in home or neighborhood
Child neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse
Harsh punishment
Chronic parent-child conflict
Predominance of negative peers
Removal from home
Eric Vance, MD
7. Protective Factors: Child
First born child
Easy, adaptable temperament
Social competence (including peers, school, community)
Problem-solving skills (including self-control and self-
regulation)
Autonomy (independent, out-going toddler)
Sense of purpose and future
Good sense of humor
Shows empathy and nurturance
-www.psychology.ccsu.edu
-Eric Vance, MD
8. Protective Factors: Family
Secure attachment and warm relationship
Parental- employment, HS education and social support
Consistent routines
Positive discipline with discussion
Family involvement with organized religion
Parental attention to child’s activities and friends Eric Vance, MD
9. Protective Factors: Involvement
Regular structured activity or hobby
Job, care-giving or volunteer work
Youth group
Adult mentor outside of family
Close, positive peer support
Eric Vance, MD
10. Protective Factors: School
Capable in student
role
Good problem-solving
Good reading ability
Adult mentor in school
Motivation towards
college
One or two friends
Eric Vance, MD
11. Protective Factors: Perception
Perceived competence at some skill or talent
Internal locus of control
Realistic hopes and expectations for the future
Perception that parent cares
Faith
Acceptance and perspective on past problems
Eric Vance, MD
12. Sense of Purpose and Future
Healthy expectancies, achievement motivation,
persistence, hope
Strongest predictor of positive outcome
Education aspirations better predictor than
academic achievement
www.psychology.ccsu.edu
13. Route to Resiliency: Predictability
Routines, rituals
Positive discipline (consistently warm but clear limits)
Stable parents
Involvements (hobbies, community, family)
What activities does your child feel like they do well?
Do you model the importance of hobbies?
Does your child have a routine?
Eric Vance, MD
14. Route to Resiliency: Competencies
Social/emotional skills
Problem-solving skills
Perceived competency in some area (for example/ music, art,
athletics)
Does your desire to protect your child communicate to them that you don’t think
they are competent?
Do you allow your child to fail and teach coping?
Do you model and allow the expression of a full range of emotions?
Eric Vance, MD
15. Route to Resilience: Social connection
Secure attachment and parental warmth
Peer support
Mentor support
Perception of caring
Connection to groups
Connection to higher power or greater purpose
How do you encourage empathy?
What activities does your family engage in that promotes caring for others?
What opportunities does your child have to do for others?
Eric Vance, MD
16. Route to Resilience: Perceived control
Internal locus of control
Optimistic thinking (negative events are temporary)
Plans for future
Use of faith or prayer
Do you give your child choices? Allow them to make decisions and handle
consequences?
Do you give specific and authentic praise?
Eric Vance, MD
18. To overcome adversities, children draw from three sources of resilience :
I HAVE…
I AM…
I CAN…
Three Sources of Resilience
International Resilience Project
19. People around me I trust and who love me, no matter what
People who set limits for me so I know when to stop before there is danger or
trouble
People who show me how to do things right by the way they do things
People who want me to learn to do things on my own
People who help me when I am sick, in danger or need to learn
I HAVE…
International Resilience Project
20. A person people can like and love
Glad to do nice things for others and show my concern
Respectful of myself and others
Willing to be responsible for what I do
I AM…
International Resilience Project
21. Talk to others about things that bother or frighten me
Find ways to solve problems that I face
Control myself when I feel like doing something not right or dangerous
Figure out when it is a good time to talk to someone or to take action
Find someone to help me when I need it
I CAN…
International Resilience Project
22. 6 step problem solving
1. What is the problem?
2. What could I do? (encourage lots of ideas)
3. List what might happen for each idea
4. Pick the best solution
5. Do it!
6. Did it work?
23. 2. Writes a speech and reads it in front of mirror
Coping step plan for
having to do a talk to
the class
1. Read a short story to mother / father
3. Presents speech to mother / father
4. Presents speech to the entire family
5. Presents speech to a friend
6. Presents speech to close group of
friends
7. Presents speech in front of class
Step
Step
24. For Help…
Start with Pediatrician
Contact a Child Therapist for additional help
On-line resources:
http://resilienceresearch.org/research/projects/international-resilience
www.psychology.ccsu.edu
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-
Resilience/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx
