Philosophy of Resilience: Development of Individuals, Families, and Social Systems Resilience has a different meaning to different people. Personally, I view resilience as a preventative approach as a result of inflicted threats. The concept affects the entire ecosystem which is outlined by Urie Bronfenbrenner; from the individual to the Macrosystem. The determination of resilient practices depends on the context in which it occurs. Historically, resilience has been labeled as a deficit-based approach to overcoming adversity (Masten, 2001).
Today, researchers and other professionals recognize resilience is more effective when applied through strengths-based approaches reassuring potential to “overcome” and “succeed”. Through “compassion” and “respect” resilience can be achieved. Given the definitions provided in class, Boss (2004) who supports resilience is more than “bouncing back” when faced with challenging circumstances by “rising above” and Bonanno (2004) who supports resilience is “multidimensional and dynamic” support the context of resilience.
It is important to note; resilience is a process rather than a linear occurrence. As shown through the ABC-X and Double ABC-X models, resilience is triggered by stress which in effect causes the process of restructuring to begin. The most important aspect of these models is adaption; how well affected populations overcome the stress process. The adaption of course is affected by other elements including resources and event perceptions. From a personal perspective, this accounts for why resilience is a process rather than an occurrence.
Factor of the process form from individual attributes on families and vice versa. This could even be applied to greater social systems, such as, the community. How people view incoming stress determines how they will adapt after the period of stress subsides. However, I believe what shapes our perceptions is caused by learned values, beliefs, and morals. As the family life cycle stages progress, each individual member of the unit contributes their own view which is caused by past experiences relating to resilience. Differences occur through each individual and family’s position of development.
The major key to successful resilience is positive cognitive appraisal. Families who foster positive views of resilience more than likely have a better chance at adapting to future stressors; expected or unexpected. In continuation, people can become resilient several ways. As discussed previously, families can have a profound impact on cognitions of change. However, individual characteristics also play an important role. In my opinion, optimism, facing fear(s), and desire or willingness to grow are the most important traits to have.
It is critical to maintain a positive outlook even when the situation is bleak. For example, negative thoughts about overcoming stress will cause following events to be negative. Further, facing fears contributes to accepting situational changes. To illustrate, unexpected events which are unfamiliar may provoke feelings of fear of the unknown. Individuals have the ability to logically rework fear by challenging themselves to use approaches to combat the fear, for instance, by seeking help from a professional. Finally, mental preparation and commitment are needed to influence resilience.
This concept can help provide individuals with awareness of meaning, purpose, and most of all, growth in character development. Of course, this is not to say other characteristics are not important. All traits play a role in how people adapt. For individuals and families, the path chosen in relation to adaption are strengthened by the presence of unique characteristics in the present and future. In relation, all parties involved are affected by choices made in individual and family success. In the family unit, there needs to be a shared meaning of overcoming adversity or else the process of resilience will weaken.
The pattern of communication between members and individual to the external world is important to fostering resilience. Lack of communication isolates people from receiving positive help from others, including, social support systems Interestingly, an article describes the development of resilience in childhood. Children, despite being faced with traumatic circumstances, are better equipped the n some adults to practice resilience. Masten (2001), explains resilience as “good outcomes in spite of serious threats to adaption or development.
Individuals do not acquire resilience until potential threats to character development arise (Masten, 2001). Similar to my own opinion, stress must be present to activate the resilience process. Further Masten (2001) claims resilience is a criterion of adaption or development “evaluated” by individual perception of being “good”. To support this claim, cultural age expectations of the developmental life cycle accounts for the expectations outlined by cultures and societies based on behavior based on historical contexts (Masten, 2001).
Results proved, the most profound impact on children’s resilient development is contributed to adult role models including family and community members and individual self-regulation strategies, positive self-view, and “motivation” to contribute to interact effectively within different environments (Masten, 2001). In other words, resilience develops for various socialization strategies which focus on positivity and conscious awareness. In all, resilience can be looked at from various points of view. My personal opinion is resilience is formed through families and other social systems interacting with the individual.
In correlation, individual characteristics and cognitions provide further framework for the utilization of resilience. The research provided by Masten (2001) is only one view of how development is shaped during childhood. Other studies explore the concept further by observing other populations. It is important to note each individual, family, and society is different and, therefore, the existence of resiliency will be different. Understanding these differences are essential for any professional working to help people lead productive lives.
