Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Abstract #300
Going to University as a Marker of Young Carers’ Rsiliency: An Exploration of the Resiliency Process 
Presenter: Rebecca Enright
Abstract:
Young carers (YCs) are an understudied group of children and youth who care for family members with illnesses, disabilities or mental health issues (Aldridge & Becker, 1993). Research has identified negative developmental impacts of caregiving within emotional, psychological, social and academic domains (for a review, see Sahoo & Suar’s, 2009). Despite potential negative outcomes, some YCs succeed at post-secondary education, suggesting resiliency. The present study aims to determine protective factors that contributed to a YCs academic success and to determine how the resiliency process has been experienced from the YC perspective. This study is based on Masten’s (2007) “Short List” of resiliency correlates and explores how protective factors interact within multilevel systems (e.g., individual, behavioural, social) within the context of being a YC. Through semi-structured interviews, the experiences of ten female and male YCs who are currently university students are explored. Data will be inductively analysed to identify emerging themes related to the YCs experience of the processes of resiliency within the multilevel systems. Results will be discussed from an individual, behavioural and social perspective. Results may help community agencies to design YC programs which enhance protective factors within different systems.