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Home > Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect > Strengthening Families > Enhancing Protective Factors > Parental Resilience
Parental Resilience
Parents who can cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well an occasional crisis, have resilience; they have the flexibility and inner strength necessary to bounce back when things are not going well. Multiple life stressors, such as a family history of abuse or neglect, health problems, marital conflict, or domestic or community violence—and financial stressors such as unemployment, poverty, and homelessness—may reduce a parent's capacity to cope effectively with the typical day-to-day stresses of raising children.
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Parental Resilience
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Explanation of this protective factor and how early care and education programs contribute.
A Technical Assistance Sampler on Protective Factors (Resiliency) (PDF - 851 KB)
Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA (2006)
Contains a sample of resources and links discussing protective factors and resiliency; fostering resilience is presented as requiring a focus on policy and environmental changes.
ResilienceNet
Offers links to research and a library of online resources about resilience.
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"Beating the Odds" Versus "Changing the Odds": Poverty, Resilience, and Family Policy
Seccombe
Journal of Marriage and the Family, 64(2), 2002
View Abstract
Suggests a number of strategies for strengthening resiliency in families and emphasizes the need to adopt a policy of economic redistribution to improve the status of impoverished families in the United States.
Conceptualizing Parental Stress With Family Stress Theory
Peterson & Hennon
In Families and Change: Coping With Stressful Events and Transitions (2005, 3rd ed.)
View Abstract
Applies Family Stress Theory to questions about the differences in parental stress and coping reactions and the influence of parental stress on parents and their children.
Efficacy and Social Support as Predictors of Parenting Stress Among Families in Poverty (PDF - 250 KB)
Raikes & Thompson
Infant Mental Health Journal, 26(3), 2005
Study found that high self-efficacy and fewer family risk factors help reduce parenting stress levels for families in poverty.
Families and Change: Coping With Stressful Events and Transitions
McKenry & Price (Eds.) (2005, 3rd ed.)
View Abstract
Explores family dynamics during times of stress and reviews strategies for enhancing resilience. The potential for families to develop coping skills in response to change and stress is highlighted.
Families That Flourish: Facilitating Resilience in Clinical Practice
Becvar (2006)
View Abstract
Offers a structured approach in clinical practice to facilitate families' inherent capacity for resilience.
Handbook for Working With Children and Youth: Pathways to Resilience Across Cultures and Contexts
Ungar (Ed.) (2005)
View Abstract
Explores the multiple paths children follow to health and well-being in diverse national and international settings, addressing the more immediate concerns of how those who care for children create physical, emotional, and spiritual environments where resilience is nurtured.
Promoting Resilience in Child Welfare
Flynn, Dudding, & Barber (Eds.) (2006)
View Abstract
A collection of articles promoting quality foster parenting and positive life experiences which promote resilient coping in children and youth.
Resilience in DFPS Clients
Protective Services Training Institute of Texas (2004)
View Abstract
Identifies five steps for promoting resilience in maltreated children and foster children. Also reviews cultural issues and resilience in children with special needs.
Resiliency Capacities Among Rural Low-Income Families
Vandergriff-Avery, Anderson, & Braun
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 85(4), 2004
View Abstract
Helps human service practitioners recognize and understand the stressor events and crises faced by rural low-income families as a basis for development of appropriate social support strategies.
Strengthening Family Resilience
Walsh (2006, 2nd ed.)
View Abstract
Presents a family resilience framework for intervention and prevention with clients dealing with adversity; describes key processes in resilience for practitioners to target and facilitate.
Uncovering Stories of Family Resilience: A Mixed Methods Study of Resilient Families, Part 1
Lietz
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 87(4), 2006
View Abstract
Presents quantitative findings on ways families are able to maintain high functioning despite facing difficult experiences.
Uncovering Stories of Family Resilience: A Mixed Methods Study of Resilient Families, Part 2
Lietz
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 88(1), 2007
View Abstract
Presents qualitative results from family interviews that identified 10 strengths found in resilient families and narratives describing how those strengths contribute to resilience.
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