Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Children in Care:

Abstract #211
Adoptive Family Processes and Resilience Over Time in Early-Deprived Adoptees from Romania
Presenter: Lucy Le Mare  Co-presenters: Karen Kurytnik, Karyn Audet
Abstract:
The Romanian Adoption Project (RAP), an ongoing longitudinal study of early-deprived children adopted by Canadian families from Romanian orphanages, has presented a rare opportunity to assess the effects of early deprivation and the potential of the post-adoption rearing environment to support resilience. Like most research on post-institutionalized adoptees, the RAP has comprised primarily quantitative investigations addressing differences between and trends within groups varying in levels of early deprivation.  This approach has been useful, but is limited in that knowledge based on aggregated data may be too abstract for application to specific contexts, and individuals.  In this presentation we report on an in-depth exploration of the role of adoptive family processes in supporting resilience in 9 Romanian adoptees who, at age 17, were selected from the larger sample (N=46) as most clearly demonstrating either resilience (N=5) or not (N=4).  Differences in resilience were unrelated to length of deprivation, developmental delays at time of adoption, or early IQ.  Family processes including attachment, parenting styles, and communication about adoption, examined at ages 4, 10, and 17 years, distinguished teens who did and did not display resilience as did self-reports on resilience measures. Links to outcomes in emerging adulthood (age 24) are also explored.

Abstract #223
Evaluating the Efficacy of a Resilience Program for Children and Young People in a Private Clinic in Sydney Australia
Persenter: Kaitlyn Massey Co-Presenter: Tanya Hanstock
Abstract:
Research into intervention programs that aim to enhance resilience in young people are continually expanding. Evidence suggests that early intervention programs are important in assisting children to overcome difficult circumstances and prevent mental health problems. There are a number of international resilience-based group programs, however few exist within Australia. Two programs that are currently being used in Australia are the Linked-Up (13-16 year-olds) and Connect-3 programs (8-12 year-olds), which are based on the Resilience Doughnut model. They are creative and interactive 6-week group programs designed to help young people find their strengths, improve their social interactions and develop resilient thinking skills. This research assesses the efficacy of the two programs using the Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for pre, post and follow-up measures. The results will help determine if prevention programs have the potential to be positive and proactive in developing resilience in young people in Australia. Discussion will be encouraged with regard to the use of ecological resilience programs in various contexts. Of particular note is the usefulness of such programs in activating the strong resources within small groups of youth in a private practice setting.

Abstract #224
Meaningful Participation as a Protective Mechanism of Adolescents in Children's Homes in Croatia
Presenter: Ivana Maurović Co-Presenter: Antonija Žižak
Abstract:
As opportunity to participate in shaping environment (WestEd,2005)  has been shown as a important protective mechanism, aim of this presentation is to explore it's role in various developmental outcomes of adolescents in Children homes (subjective well being, behavior problems, academic competence) trough mix method approach. Quantitative date were gathered via self-assessment, with instruments: List of major life events, Daily hassles of adolescents in residential care (Maurović, 2014), Resilience and youth development module (WestEd & CDE, 2000), Youth Self Report (Achenbach, 1991), Subjective happiness scale (Lyubomirsky and Lepper, 1999). In quantitative part, sample comprises whole population of adolescents age 14 to 18, placed in 15 Children's homes in Croatia (N= 228). In qualitative part, data were collected using in-depth interviews with a 24 participants, age 14 to 21, that were assessed by their caregivers as resilient. According to preliminary data, meaningful participation is predictor of happiness and externalizing behavior problems. Adolescent that were assessed as resilient explained the crucial role of participation in their good developmental outcomes.