Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Abstract #316
Protective Mechanisms as Moderators of Relationship Between Risk and Behaviour Problems
Presenter: Ivana Maurović Co-Presenter: Antonija Žižak
Abstract:
Adolescent in out-of-home care are facing high levels of risk to their development, both trough experiencing numerous of major life events as well as daily hassles. Nevertheless, majority of them (approximately 65%) don’t have any behaviour problems (Maurović, in press). The aim of this presentation is to identify which protective mechanisms (external and internal) serve as a moderators between risk (major life events and daily hassles) and behaviour problems; 2) to get to know the experience of resilient process of male and female adolescents that are assessed (by professionals) as resilient. Mix method approach was used. 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). Sample comprise whole population of adolescents aged 14 to 18, placed in 15 Children's homes in Croatia (N=228). Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews with 24 participants, age 14 to 21. Data will be analysed using hierarchical regression and thematic analysis, and mixed in the interpretation phase of research.