The Resilience Theory

Words: 2249
Pages: 9

A Chance in the World
Resilience theory is a strengths based theory that looks at those who are exposed to risks, threats, adversity, who then through positive adaptation overcome the adversity. There are several different definitions of resilient such as, healthy functioning after exposure to significant adversity and to the capacities needed to adapt successfully to significant adversity (e.g., Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000; Masten, 2007, 2011) while Rutter (2012) emphasized the understanding of resilience as a process between the individual and the environment in response to adversity that varies depending on the situation and available resources. Resilience is best understood as a dynamic process rather than a stable quality of a
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It lacks uniformity. Other limitations are that while a child may seem resilient at one point in their life, they may develop problems later in life. This theory is difficult to test and not all agencies may be willing to utilize this approach as they use a more problem focused or deficit model. Research findings on resilience may often be unstable. Statistical findings obtained from the tails of continua are always unstable because they involve smaller numbers, and in the case of resilience, researchers deal with not one but two tails of continua—that is, high adversity and high competence. (Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B., …show more content…
It is these protective factors that would help Steve to overcome his adversity. One of the protective factors was Steve’s own self-determination. Steve was always determined that not only was he going to get out of the Robinson’s house, he was going to finish school and go to college. Despite Steve’s situation at the Robinson home, he somehow always managed to have hope for his own future despite how negative Mrs. Robinson was toward him about these hopes. Steve felt like going to college was his ticket out of the Robinson home and to a bright future. Another protective factor was his determination to find out more about his biological family. For many years Steve had hope his parents were out there and were going to come and get him. Although Steve had limited access, he was very resourceful when it came to getting his needs met. He always managed to find a way such as the time he was able not only to get downtown but was able to locate an article on his father and view a picture all without the Robinson’s knowing. At one point during his stay with the Robinson’s, he was able to get through to one of his social workers who helped to ensure he attended a meeting at the Department to talk about school despite Mrs. Robinson’s not wanting him there. Unlike others who may have turned to