Resilience: What Science Says about Overcoming
Dr. Nicole Wilke
CAFO Research Center
What [Exactly] is Resilience?
Dr. Nicole Wilke, CAFO Research Center
The Problem
A child you love is experiencing the effects of early adversity
TRAUMA
EARLY ADVERSITY STRESS
ADVERSITY DOESN’T NEED TO BE THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF A CHILD’S LIFE
“NO, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US.”
—Romans 8:37
ADVERSITY CAN BECOME A MINOR FOOTNOTE AMIDST AN EPIC NOVEL
THAT IS THE STORY GOD HAS FOR YOUR CHILD.
The Problem
A child you love is overcome by adversity
The Solution Resilience overcomes adversity
RESILIENCE
the ability to overcome obstacles
Early Adversity Negative Outcomes
RESILIENCE IS NOT MAGIC
THE GOOD NEWS...
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY COMMUNITY
• strong executive function
• problem solving skills
• future focus
• optimism
• faith
• stress tolerance
• sense of belonging
• competent caregiving
• good parent-child relationship
• emotional and tangible support
• healthy communication
• positive climate
• quality education
• extra-curricular activities
• safe neighborhood
• faith and cultural traditions
• community involvement
Citations found in:
Dr. Brian Godor
Sport Impacx
Resilience IsActivation:
The Capacity to Cope,Adapt, and Endure
Brian P. Godor, Ed.D.
Resilience asActivation
Not aTrait, but a Lifelong Process
Resilience is not about being “strong,” but about what we activate now.
Resilience is not a single moment of strength: it is the ongoing journey of becoming whole.
How WeActivate Resilience
Coping Strategies inAction
Social support, positive reframing, problem-solving, and avoidance.
Wisdom is in the timing of activation; knowing which strategy serves in this season.
The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.” — Ecclesiastes 8:5
Redefining Resilience
Capacity,Timing, and Growth
Capacity is cultivated over time:
Self-efficacy
Trust
Regulation
Self-worth
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Romans 5:3
Dr. Mandy Howard Samford University
Belonging Matters: Promoting Resilience and Mental Health in Care-ExperiencedYoungAdults
Dr.Amanda Howard
Samford University
Thank you!
Dr. Froma Walsh
University of Chicago
Strengthening Resilience
3+ decades: Advances in Resilience Theory & Research
• Resilience Involves Dynamic, Multi-level, Systemic Processes
• Individual - Family – Community – Social Influences: Interconnected
• The Family is Central & Vital for Children’s Resilience
• We Can Strengthen Resilience in Vulnerable Families
_______
Masten, A. & Monn, A. R. (2015). Child and family resilience: A call for integrating science, practice, and training. Family Relations, 64(1), 5-21.
Walsh, F. (2021). Family Resilience: A Dynamic Systemic Framework. In M. Ungar (ed.)(2021).
Multisystemic resilience: Adaptation and transformation in contexts of change. Oxford Univ Press. DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190095888.003.0015
Crisis and Challenges
withAdversity:
Affect all Family Members, Relationships, and
Family Functioning -- Multiple stressors compound distress
Family Processes Support Resilience for
Children & all members, their bonds, & family unit.
Vital Resources: Kin & Community / Structural Supports Cultural / Spiritual Connections
Strengthening Family Resilience
Building Capacities to Overcome Adversity
Coping +Adaptation + Positive Growth
• Strengthen Bonds & Family Functioning
• Manage Stressful Challenges
• Support Positive Child Development to Thrive
• More Resourceful in Facing Future Challenges
So: Intervention is has Prevention Benefit!
Walsh, F. (2016). Strengthening Family Resilience (3rd ed.) Guilford Press.
Family Stresses & Vulnerability
Identify Potential Strengths, Resources
In Immediate & Extended Kin
Build Team Effort: - Shared Beliefs & Practices - Collaboration & Mutual Support
Chicago Center for Family Health
Resilience-Based Program Applications 1991-2020
Community Agency Consultation / Partnerships
Program Design, Implementation, Staff Training - Services
• Heal from Trauma, Loss
• Death of loved one
• Disaster; War; Displacement
• Navigate Disruptive Transitions
• Separation; Foster care; Adoption
• Overcome Multi-Stress, Persistent Challenges
• Chronic Illness / Disabilities
• Job / Housing / Financial insecurity
Framework & Scale (WFRQ) in Walsh, F. (2016). Strengthening Family Resilience (3rd Ed.) Guilford Press.
Families are Sanctuaries of Life and Love
Strengthening Family Resilience:
Build Relational Capacities
To Overcome Adversity ~ Go Forward to Thrive
Readings
Walsh, F. (2016). Strengthening Family Resilience, (3rd ed.) Guilford Press.
Walsh, F. (2023). Complex & Traumatic Loss: Fostering Healing & Resilience. Guilford.
Walsh, F. (2023). Promoting family resilience. In S. Goldstein & R. Brooks (Eds.) Handbook of Resilience in Children (3rd ed., pp. 365-375). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-14728-9_20
Walsh, F. (2021). Family resilience: A dynamic systemic framework. In M. Ungar, (Ed.),
Multisystemic resilience: Adaptation and transformation in contexts of change. New York: Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190095888.003.0015
Walsh, F. (2020). Loss and resilience in the time of COVID-19: Meaning- making, hope, and transcendence. Family Process, 59(3), 898-911. doi: 10.1111/famp.12588
Walsh, F. (2016). Applying a family resilience framework in training, practice, and research:
Mastering the art of the possible. Family Process, 55, 616-632. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12260
Dr. Nicole Wilke
CAFO Research Center
Dr. Zehua Cui
University of Maryland College Park
Looking ahead:The role of future orientation in resilience among youth exposed to early life adversity
Zehua Cui
University of Maryland College Park
Ana’s Story
Future Orientation: What It Is & Why it Matters
• How much young people think about, believe in, and plan for their future
• Seeing the future – having hopes and goals across different life domains
• Believing in the future – placing values on goals, believing goals are attainable, feeling a sense of control
• Acting towards the future – taking steps (e.g., planning, learning new skills, trying opportunities) to achieve goals
• Future orientation helps young people navigate challenges with hope, direction, and purpose.
The Science Behind Future Orientation
• Future orientation attenuated the negative effects of child maltreatment on youth’s delinquent and substance use behaviors and promoted self-esteem and social competence.
• Maltreated youth exhibited different developmental trajectories in future orientation.Those with consistently high or increasing future orientation over time were more likely to attain young adulthood milestones.
Practical Implications
• Individual level
• Ask future-focused questions & reflection
• Goal-setting & planning
• Celebrate small steps & connect to future rewards
• Decision-making skills
• Exposure to diverse experiences
Practical Implications
• Family level
• Express belief and encouragement
• Hold goal-oriented conversations & planning routines
• Support interests and hobbies
• School and community level
• Communicate high expectations for learning and effort
• Provide after-school programs, sports, arts, or youth clubs
• Offer mentoring and access to role models
• Create opportunities for leadership and contribution