Resilience: What is it and how do our families get some?

Resilience is becoming a buzz word within childhood development circles. Many educators and researchers are intrigued by it as it seems to hold great potential for children to do well in life despite any adversities that they may face. Resilience for LGBTI families may be particularly relevant due to the challenges that many of us experience. In this post, Pink Families shares what resilience is and we highlight some of the factors involved.

What is resilience?

Resilience has been described as both a process and an ability.

The process involves adapting positively to a situation that involves adversity, sometimes significant adversity. It also involves the ability to maintain a steady balance in the face of these challenges. In essence, it is a process of effectively negotiating, adapting to, or managing significant sources of stress or trauma.

It isn’t a personality trait but rather it is a process that occurs within certain situations. Resilience can be observed when you see someone do well despite significant barriers, challenges or adversity.

For example, a child who does well despite having a significant physical impairment could be described as resilient. A child who flourishes even though they come from an impoverished background could be viewed as resilient. A family that experiences significant discrimination but yet they do well could also be described as resilient.

What factors contribute to resilience?

Three main factors contribute to resilience: individual characteristics, familial factors and community factors.

Individual factors

Having good physical health, a strong intellect, and being sociable and outgoing helps with resilience. Having an appropriate level of self-confidence and self-esteem also contributes to resilience. Positive mental health, strong coping skills and general optimism contributes to resilience.

Factors to do with families

Families that consist of close parental relationships, parents that are caring and parents that are able to provide structure ensure resilience. Parents that have reasonable expectations of their children help to build resilience in their children. Having sufficient economic resources also helps.