RESILIENCY:
"Many, many failures equals success."
Thomas Edison
Definitions:
Resilient: Capable of returning to an original shape after being bent, stretched, or compressed; elastic.
American Heritage Dictionary, Second Edition
Resilience: The capacity to spring back, rebound, successfully adapt in the face of adversity, and develop social competence despite exposure to severe stress.
Marilyn Colby Rivkin and Mary Hoopman
Resiliency: The innate ability to learn, renew and recreate oneself in the face of change, challenge, opportunity and/or adverse conditions, in order to move adaptively and successfully into the future.
Resilient child: one who, despite, adversity, continues to "work well, play well, love well and expect well."
Factors in the Individual that Develop Resiliency
- A relationship with a caring adult role model
- Having an opportunity to contribute and be seen as a resource
- Effectiveness in work, play, and relationships
- Healthy expectations and positive outlook
- Self-esteem and internal locus-of-control
- Self-discipline
- Problem solving/critical thinking skills
- A sense of humor
Source: Preparing For The Drug-Free Years
Protective Factors in Environments
Which Develop Resiliency
1. Caring and Support
 | The loving support of at least one person |
| Listening/giving voice |
| Believing |
| Basic trust/safety |
| Compassion |
2. High/Positive Expectations
| Firm, loving guidance |
| Respect and dignity |
| Recognizing and building on strengths |
| Challenge with support |
| Reframing |
| Faith: hope and optimism for the future |
3. Opportunities for Participation
| Inclusion |
| Responsibility |
| Ownership |
| Routine opportunities to contribute |
| Opportunities for social competence and problem-solving |
Source: Bonnie Benard, "Fostering Resiliency in Kids: Protective Factors in the Family, Schools and Communities."
THREE MORE FACTORS WHICH HELP DEVELOP RESILIENCY IN YOUR CHILD
| 1. A sense of humor and ability to have fun The average child laughs 200 times a day The average adult laughs less than 10 times a day |
| 2. A sense of detachment Healthy distancing from the dysfunctional element |
| 3. The presence of at least one healthy adult who is: Consistently available Emotionally interested in the child Provides nurturing Helps reduce feelings of alienation Functions as a mirror to reality |
PROFILE OF THE RESILIENT CHILD
|
SOCIAL COMPETENCE |
| PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS Critical Thinking Planning Flexibility Imagination Resourcefulness/initiative Insight |
| AUTONOMY Self-esteem, self-efficacy Control over environment Self-awareness Mastery Adaptive distancing Independence |
| SENSE OF MEANING AND PURPOSE Special interest Goal directed Educational aspirations Achievement motivations Persistence Hopefulness and optimism Compelling future Spirituality Coherence/meaningfulness |
Source: Bonnie Benard, "Fostering Resiliency in Kids: Protective Factors in the Family, Schools and Community:" Western Regional Center for Drug-free Schools and Communities, San Francisco. 1991.