Abstract
Background: Although the concept of family resilience has had increased popularity in recent studies, conceptual and methodological issues need to be addressed. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current status of the concept of family resilience in research and to suggest future needed directions for research. Methods: The structure of the analysis derives from Rodgers’ evolutionary concept analysis. Data for the analysis were retrieved using six electronic databases through phrasal search with “family resilience” as search terms. 38 were included in the current review. Results: Six dimensions of family resilience were identified: 1) collective confidence; 2) interconnectedness; 3) positive life view; 4) resourcefulness; 5) open communication patterns; and 6) collaborative problem-solving. Three possible antecedents of family resilience were identified: 1) perceived sense of disequilibrium; 2) spirituality/shared belief systems or religious beliefs; and 3) families’ strong will to overcome adversities. Consequences of being resilient include: 1) acceptance of the situation; 2) change in life perspectives; 3) enhanced relationship qualities; 4) reinforcement of resilient properties; and 5) improved health-related outcomes. Conclusion: Although the concept of resilience has been adopted as a useful strength-based perspective to understand family adaptation in the presence of adversity, it still needs further conceptual and methodological refinements. Multiple dimensions, cultural differences and variations of the concept within longitudinal designs should be examined with data gathered from multiple family members in order to improve family resilience research and its application to nursing practice. Implications for future research and intervention are suggested.
Highlights
Since the 1970s, the focus of health-related research has been redirected from disease, deficit, or vulnerability toHow to cite this paper: Oh, S. and Chang, S.J. (2014) Concept Analysis: Family Resilience
A conceptual definition of family resilience is synthesized from the results of the current analysis: family resilience refers to the family’s capabilities to regain its psychological and functional integrity after adversity. It has been acknowledged among theorists and researchers that family resilience can be better understood as a process, the current analysis revealed that it still can be conceptualized as capabilities because family resilience is an outcome of interaction between a family’s vulnerabilities and strengths, which happens under the specific, individualized context of families experiencing adversity
This analysis showed that the concept of family resilience has multiple dimensions, but it was mostly tested by measuring the level of family hardiness
Summary
Since the 1970s, the focus of health-related research has been redirected from disease, deficit, or vulnerability toHow to cite this paper: Oh, S. and Chang, S.J. (2014) Concept Analysis: Family Resilience. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current status of the concept of family resilience in research and to suggest future needed directions for research. Consequences of being resilient include: 1) acceptance of the situation; 2) change in life perspectives; 3) enhanced relationship qualities; 4) reinforcement of resilient properties; and 5) improved health-related outcomes. Conclusion: the concept of resilience has been adopted as a useful strength-based perspective to understand family adaptation in the presence of adversity, it still needs further conceptual and methodological refinements. Cultural differences and variations of the concept within longitudinal designs should be examined with data gathered from multiple family members in order to improve family resilience research and its application to nursing practice.
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