Promoting Resilience

What is Resiliency?

Resiliency is the ability to “bounce back” from set backs, and/or

overcome hardships.

Topics of Discussion

Social Competence

Social Development Model

Risk Factors

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

What is Social Competence?

Social Competence is the condition of possessing the social, emotional, and academic skills needed for successful social adaptation.

Social Development Model

The Social Development Model (SDM) is a theory that attempts to explain why both socially competent and antisocial behaviors arise in youths. SDM assumes that all behavior is learned through bonding with major social institutions (e.g. family, school, faith, and gangs). Once a bond is established, a child acts in ways that are consistent with the group.

Risk FactorsPeer Rejection

Low Academic Achievement

Family Discord

Low Self-Esteem

Poor Quality School

For Example…

A child who can self regulate is more apt to make friends and connect with others.

A child who experiences academic success is more likely to have higher self-esteem.

Research shows that academic achievement and school involvement reduce engagement in risk-taking and antisocial behavior.

These CONNECTIONS are critical when developing resiliency.

Protective FactorsIn contrast to risk factors –

Protective factors can decrease the probability of high-risk outcomes.

Protective factors appear to be the building blocks to resilience.

Protective FactorsProactive Orientation

Self-Regulation

Connections and Attachment

School Achievement and Involvement

Community

Proactive Orientation

Resilient individuals have a realistic positive sense of self-worth and self-efficacy (Second Step, Self-Talk).

Those who possess who a high degree of “perceived self-efficacy” are more likely to interpret successes as indication of their capabilities.

Teaching children to help others is an effective way to promote responsibility, empathy and self-esteem.

Self-Regulation

One of the most fundamental protective factors is success in developing self-regulation and self-control.

◦Coping Skills◦Teaching Pro-Social Behaviors

Proactive ParentingA longitudinal study from 1959 has identified

authoritative parental style as associated with “optimal competence” in children and adolescents.

Authoritative parents are characterized as “responsive” and “demanding”.

Responsive parents are warm, loving, supportive, and provide a cognitively stimulating environment. They are also demanding in that they apply rational, firm, and consistent but not overbearing control on their children.

Connections and Attachment

The desire to belong and form attachments with family and friends is considered a fundamental human need. Having social competence and positive connections with peers, family, and pro-social adults is significantly related to a child’s ability to adapt to life’s stressors. For children, developing friendships is paramount. Being part of at least one friendship may also improve a child’s adjustment. The presence of an influential person in a child’s life who believed in them is also significant.

School and Community Involvement

A positive connection with school and extracurricular groups has been shown to lead to increased pro-social behaviors.

Communities that promote resilience usually include the following elements:◦ Early prevention and intervention programs◦ Safety in neighborhoods◦ Support services◦ Recreational facilities and programs◦ Accessibility to health services◦ Economic opportunities for families◦ Religious and spiritual organizations

Opportunities for Connection at Westgate

Team TutoringYoung RembrandtsClub KSchool PatrolPark DistrictBoy Scouts and BrowniesFaith-Based OrganizationsCAP

Interventions Teach children and families problem-solving skills Encourage children to express positive and negative

feelings Help children and families to identify strengths and

positive family experiences (time to have fun, special family time)

Build self-esteem Teach optimistic thinking (children consider negative

events as temporary rather than permanent) Teach coping skills Incorporate relaxation therapy Authoritative parenting style (consistently warm with

clear limits) Set high but realistic expectations