Counsellors' Corner

We often hear the word resilience - with statements such as, "I need to be resilient”, “How do I support my child to be resilient?”  In this article we address how this can be achieved:

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations.  Being resilient does not mean that a person will not experience distress or difficulty.  In fact, the contrary - experiencing such events can aid personal growth as it is not the event but how a person responds to it that develops resilience.  Resilience is influenced by both internal and external factors as stated below.  The ability to maintain resilience is influenced by a person’s temperament, the ability to be persistent, focused, and determined not to give up.  It is also about a person’s worldview; how they approach situations with a give it a go attitude.  Having positive self-talk and good connectedness and engagement helps to support building resilience.  Factors that enable a person to be resilient can be considered by the following: 

 

Internal Factors

  • The capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out
  • A positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and abilities
  • Self-efficacy
  • Acceptance of situations that are a part of life and being realistic about them
  • Skills in communication and problem solving
  • The capacity to manage strong feelings and impulses
  • Looking for opportunities for self-discovery and maintaining a hopeful outlook
  • Caring for one-self by considering one’s mental health and wellbeing

External Factors

  • Family support
  • Strong peer relationships
  • Involvement in the community
  • Connectedness with school, family, and friends
  • Engaging with a positive adult mentor

Building resilience is an ongoing developmental process (Yates, TM, Egeland, B, Scroufe, LA, 2003).  It is the process by which a person can access resources and internal and external factors available to them as they are exposed to adversity.  As young people experience disappointment or unexpected events and overcome such levels of risk, it helps the young person become more prepared and capable to face increasing risk.  Over time the young person realises they themselves have the skills and ability to face challenges and thrive.   As they age and mature and continue to be exposed to risk, their internal narrative is set to succeed despite adversity. 

 

Emma Moore

School Psychologist 

 

References

Yates, TM, Egeland, B, Scroufe, LA (2003).  Rethinking resilience: a developmental perspective. Resilience and Vulnerability: Adaptation in the Context of Childhood Adversities.  New York: Cambridge University Press. 243-266mental perspective. See Ref. 63a, pp. 243–66 LA. 2003.