The Master Narrative story about resilience Why there is no such thing as a resilient or vulnerable person What resilience really is Protective and risk factors The multisystemic context of resilience Resilience theory and assessment

Not even the horse gets any credit. The rugged individual…

Who made those clothes yer wearing feller? The self made man…

It’s gonna be a mighty long day without any help. The pioneer…

You say you’re standing on your own two feet. You’re not. You’re standing on our heads. And then you mystify the whole process And pretend it isn’t happening. The Color of Fear

Resilience and vulnerability are not characteristics of individual personalities.

Resilience is not… An intrinsic quality of lucky or virtuous people

Vulnerability is not… An intrinsic quality of people who –Are less virtuous –fail to pull their socks up high enough

But you wouldn’t know it from the social work literature

Most people who experience adversity have positive outcomes.

Deficit and Strengths Perspectives The irony of social work… –We identify as a strengths-oriented profession, but –We're trained to look for trouble… –And there is plenty of trouble to find! Both perspectives are reductionistic.

Defining Resilience Resilience is not an intrinsic characteristic. Resilience is an outcome. Resilience is positive adaptation in response to adversity.

Resilience and vulnerability are outcomes that can only be understood in ecological context.

Ecological Context EVERY problem makes sense in context –Biology, psychology, family system, resources, relationships, institutional racism, etc. Ethnographic approach to interviewing –The client’s perspective The person is not the problem—the person is struggling with the problem.

Protective Factors –facilitate positive outcomes by operating as buffers between individuals and the risk factors impinging on their well being. Risk Factors –threaten positive adaptational outcomes. Defining Protective and Risk Factors

biological social economic environmental cultural psychological

biological social economic environmental cultural psychological

Resilience and Vulnerability are Dynamic They result from a particular balance of protective and risk factors at a particular time.

An adverse life event may lead to positive outcomes.

The same life event can pose a risk for one person And lead to positive outcomes For another

Cultural Context What are some risk and protective factors related to: 1.Following traditional beliefs and practices 2.Discrimination and marginalization 3.Collectivism/Familism 4.Immigration 5.Bicultural Identity

Economic Context What are some risk and protective factors related to: –Poverty –Unemployment –Lack of access to healthcare –Inadequate childcare –Inadequate schools and after school resources

Implications for Practice What might obscure a client’s strengths? –The client may not be aware of his/her strengths/assets/resources/potential. –Strengths may be obscured by symptoms or oppressive circumstances –Social workers may find the pathology they’re looking for in order to Make a diagnosis Complete requisite documentation Expedite the disposition of a case

Assessment All our clients have tapped and untapped reservoirs of resources –Individual, family, community, etc. Our job is to help –Mitigate current and potential risk factors –Identify and access current and potential protective factors

Probing for Protective Factors How have you managed to survive? What do you do well? What do other people look to your for? Who are the people you can depend on? When things were going well, what was different? How did you know? What are your hopes? How can I help you achieve your goals?

Reflect Let your imagination travel beyond –The medical model –The documentation –Time constraints –Institutional hassles –Personal interference Preoccupations/Prejudices/Reactivity

Every Person is Vulnerable Sometimes

Benefits of the Resilience Perspective You can make a difference. Nobody's stuck. No client is lost. You will have more fun in your work. You are less likely to burn out. You’ll be a more powerful advocate.

Find and mobilize strengths and resources at all systemic levels.

Psychological Resources Cognitive –Optimism, problem solving abilities, perspective, useful knowledge Emotional –Self esteem, stable mood, attachment to caring others Motivational –A dream, vision, goals, confidence Coping –A repertoire of effective strategies

Social Resources Play –A necessary ingredient for well being Work/Meaningful life roles –Job (s) to do that he/she does well and is appreciated for –A way to contribute, to feel needed and useful Belonging/Support (perceived) –Friends, family, mentors, you

Cultural Resources Beliefs Values Traditions Stories Strong Positive Ethnic identity Sense of Community Bi-cultural Identity

Nutritive Environment Safe places to live, work, play Access to needed resources Enough space to –Have a “place of one’s own” Free of social and environmental hazards

Economic/Material Resources Adequate income Housing Transportation Access to needed resources Access to health care Child care Opportunities for enrichment

Political Resources Equal opportunity Having a ”voice” in decisions that affect you Opportunities and avenues to work for positive change Strong caring advocates (that means you!) Critical Mass

Protective Factors

Risk Factors

Resilience is positive adaptation in the context of adversity.

The Master Narrative story about resilience Why there is no such thing as a resilient or vulnerable person What resilience really is Protective and risk factors The multisystemic context of resilience Resilience theory and assessment