Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Alternative Approaches to Resilience:

Abstract # 119
Inner Healing
Presenter: Leo Deux Fils Dela Cruz
Abstract:
Psychological trauma survivors, generally can deal with difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, eating disorder, the physiological sequelae and other signs and symptoms. Over time, homeostasis sets in, but the most debilitating aspect is the deterioration of self image where survivors lose their sense of self worth, overwhelmed by feeling of rejection, helplessness, emptiness and meaninglessness of life. These are the ones that are damaging. These distortions of the perceived self are the drivers of maladaptive behaviors -- the extreme form of these are homicide and suicide.Reversing such distortions, being the most crucial goal in psychotherapy, it is to be noted that immediate relief is attained by using the following: 1. Identifying the Trauma Sources (The Accumulated Incidents)2. Self-Concept Damage Report 3. Psychospiritual Protocol (The Sanctuary, Guided Meditation,) 4. Clarification of Accountability (Empower the survivor to achieve emotional maturity is achieved because of and not in spite of the trauma).It is apparent that although traumatic experiences are naturally-occurring, resiliency is also innate in human nature. The therapist simply guides, prompts or enables. The techniques facilitates integration and deepens meaning of life.

Abstract # 135  
Learning from Mother Nature for the Resilience in Early Childhood
Presenter: Pradeep Dhakal Co-Presenter: Bishnu Hari Bhatta
Abstract:
Engagement in extracurricular activities is very important to early childhood development because it fosters confidence, creativity, and teaches important life skills and helps children to reach their full potential. PSD Nepal has been working with fifteen schools and two orphanages and conducts extracurricular activities. Such as, students are taken to the hilly areas, rivers and ponds so that they understand Mother Nature to nurture their fullest potential. 

Abstract # 206 
Exploring alternative approaches to evaluating the effectiveness of a resilience program in Botswana
Presenter: Masego Katisi Co-Presenter: Marguerite Daniel 
‘Ark’ is a locally developed, national program for promoting resilience among vulnerable children run by ten district councils in Botswana since 2007. The operating partners are the Government of Botswana and an NGO called Ark and Mark Trust. The program involves community participation and revives aspects of traditional initiation. It consists of two parts: a two-week wilderness-based psycho-social strengthening camp for selected groups of adolescents, and village-based follow-up activities for three years. Face validation shows graduates of the program improve in their school performance and behavioural responses to stress. Standard evaluation tools, including surveys pre and post camp and throughout the three years, are in place. However, the quality of the data produced is poor. The aim of this paper is to critically analyse reasons for the poor quality of the evaluation data and to explore alternative methodologies that more effectively investigate cultural understandings of resilience. Survey data are incomplete and inconsistent leading us to question whether the standard tools are contextually incompatible. The existing tools are limited and unable to capture the diverse social processes that the program uses. We explore participatory research as a more appropriate methodology for capturing the outcomes of these multiple social processes.