Resilience Manifested competence in the context of significant challenges to adaptation Successful adaptation following exposure to biological and psychosocial risk factors and/or stressful life events

Risk Factors for Children Neonatal stress Poverty Neglect Abuse Physical handicaps War Parental Issues Parental mental illness Parental substance abuse Parental criminality Authoritarian or Permissive Parenting Divorce

Protective Factors in Children Social competence Problem-solving skills Autonomy Sense of purpose and future Close bond with at least one person in the family High expectations with appropriate support Participation in family life Authoritative parenting

Negative Coping— Thoughts, Behaviors, Emotions Negative self-talk Irrational beliefs Behaviors Striking out at others Verbal, physical, or emotional aggression Self-indulgence/Addictions/Excess Emotions Defensive detachment Emotional avoidance/over-expression Instrumental Emotions Behaviorally people respond to stress at different levels. Coping refers to active efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate the demands created by stress. These may involve striking out at others aggressively Aggression involves any behavior that is intended to harm another either physically or verbally Dollard believes aggression is always caused by frustration Current research = not a 1:1 relationship – depends on other factors as well self-indulgement (eating, drinking, smoking, shopping), defensive coping (erecting defense mechanisms), = distort reality so that it is not so threatening or constructive coping (realistically appraising situations and confronting problems directly).

Positive Coping— Thoughts, Behaviors, Emotions Rationality/Hopefulness Positive self-talk Positive Meaning-making Behaviors Self-care (physical, etc.) Assertiveness (using anger appropriately) Emotions Seeking emotional support Appropriate expression Appropriate management

Defense Mechanisms & Distractions Foster Resilience Inhibit Resilience Core Emotions Anger Fear Sadness Defense Mechanisms & Distractions Work Intellectualization Avoidance/Isolation Alcohol Drugs Self-pity Repression Perfectionism Joy (hope, peace, love) Anxiety Counter Emotions Shame Depression Projection Blame Sex  Sarcasm/ Cynicism Defensive Humor

Interventions Risk-focused strategies Resource-focused strategies Focus on reducing risk factors (WHAT to subtract) Resource-focused strategies Focus on increasing protective factors (WHAT to add) Process-focused strategies Focus on developing positive coping strategies (HOW to cope) Solution-focused counseling Parent training Counseling Role play, conflict resolution, instillation of hope, modeling healthy self-concept, peer support