Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Resilience and Families:

Abstract #109
Practical Ways to Promote Resilience in Children and Families
Presenter: Jonathan Meyer
Abstract:
The Pathways to Education program, founded in Toronto’s Regent Park in 2001 to address high youth disengagement and dropout rates in one of Canada’s most disadvantaged communities, has been replicated throughout Canada and is now reaching well over 5,000 high school students in 17 communities across the country. A survey of what works from the literature and from selected Pathways to Education program staff across the country is summarized followed by two case studies.

Abstract #139
No More ‘Us’ and ‘Them’: Integrating Recovery and Well-Being into a Conceptual Model for Mental Health Policy
Presenter: Mary Bertram
Abstract:
The Mental Health Commission of Canada released the Mental Health Strategy for Canada (the Strategy) in 2012. During national consultations that led to the Strategy’s development, it became clear that different constituencies were advocating for many of the same core principles, but expressing them as different ideas and applying them to different groups.  One set of ideas pertained to positive mental health for the whole population and another set of ideas pertained to recovery of a meaningful life for people with mental health problems and illnesses.  Resilience was one of several concepts where common ground existed across these stakeholder perspectives. A review of the latest research in the domains of mental health promotion, positive mental health and recovery and input from a focus group of Canadian policy advisors suggests that there may be more common ground than commonly thought. We will present an integrated conceptual model that draws various concepts together into a coherent whole that reflects the mental health needs of Canadians whatever their age.  The conceptual model can help mobilize the transformative policy change called for in the Strategy and bring an end to ‘us-and-them’ thinking. Concrete examples of integrative approaches from Canada and elsewhere will be discussed.

Abstract #188
Adolescent Resilience in Two Communities: Predicting Good Mental Health Prospectively Using the Resilience Scale for Adolescents
Presenter: Odin Hjemdal Co-Presenter: Tore Aune
Abstract:
Background: This study aim was to explore resilience, its influence on mental health and how it prospectively predicts mental health outcomes in adolescents in two communities. 
Method: 1560 adolescents in two community samples were included in prospective study. The measures included were demographic data, negative life events, prosocial activities leisure activities, Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ), Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ), Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (MFQ), and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED), and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Data were collected two times over a period of one year.
Results: This study found that the protective factors measured by READ predicted less psychological symptoms and higher levels of mental health over a one year period. 
Conclusions: Understanding how resilience factors predict the changes in mental health and levels of distress is important and may facilitate better prevention and interventions related to assuring future good health for adolescents in the future.