Family Resilience Framework Research Articles

Intergenerational continuity in economic hardship, parental positivity, and positive parenting: The association with child behavior.

The current study examined intergenerational continuity in economic hardship, parental positivity, and positive parenting across generations based on both the family stress model (FSM) and the family resilience framework. The study included 220 generation 1 (G1) parents, their target youth (generation 2: G2) who participated from adolescence through adulthood, and the target's child (generation 3: G3). Assessments included observational and self-report measures. Results indicated that G1 economic hardship negatively influenced both G1 positivity and G1 positive parenting. Similarly, G2 economic hardship was negatively related to both G2 positivity and G2 positive parenting, which in turn was associated with G3 positive behavior to G2. For both G1 and G2, parental positivity mediated the association between economic hardship and positive parenting. G2 economic hardship was indirectly related to G3 positive behavior through G2 parental positivity and positive parenting. An important finding is that the intergenerational continuity of economic hardship, positivity, and positive parenting were transmitted from G1 to G2. Results suggest that even in times of economic adversity, parental positivity and positive parenting were transmitted from G1 parents to their G2 youth during adulthood. Such continuity seems to influence the positive behavior of the G3 children.

LGBTQ relationally based positive psychology: An inclusive and systemic framework.

Positive psychologists have contributed to our understandings of how positive emotions and flexible cognition enhance resiliency. However, positive psychologists' research has been slow to address the relational resources and interactions that help nonheterosexual families overcome adversity. Addressing overlooked lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) and systemic factors in positive psychology, this article draws on family resilience literature and LGBTQ literature to theorize a systemic positive psychology framework for working with nonheterosexual families. We developed the LGBTQ relationally based positive psychology framework that integrates positive psychology's strengths-based perspective with the systemic orientation of Walsh's (1996) family resilience framework along with the cultural considerations proposed by LGBTQ family literature. We theorize that the LGBTQ relationally based positive psychology framework takes into consideration the sociopolitical adversities impacting nonheterosexual families and sensitizes positive psychologists, including those working in organized care settings, to the systemic interactions of same-sex loving relationships.

Rural‐to‐Urban Migration, Family Resilience, and Policy Framework for Social Support in China

China's internal rural‐to‐urban migration has impacted the country in economic, social, and cultural terms. Despite the increasing number of families involved in migration, little is known about how migrant families as a unit adapt to new environments from rural to urban settings. Policy making needs to be informed to address migrant families' needs. This article investigates how Chinese families experience transitions resulting from migration, exploring their use of formal and informal support to achieve adaptation and the process of making evolving choices for their children. We begin with a brief introduction to the literature on family resilience and its relation to Chinese migrant families. Then we provided an analysis of Chinese social policies most central to the experiences of rural‐to‐urban migrant families. After a brief description of methodology, we present our findings starting with a migrant family story to provide an anchor for the following discussion on how current policies can impede or facilitate migrant families' resilience. Our conclusion is that lack of social support leaves migrant Chinese families vulnerable when coping with enormous social, cultural, and economic transformations. Family constitutes the basis of Chinese society; therefore, a policy framework on social support is important to support these families and foster family resilience.

Qualitative Analysis the Family Resilience of Divorced Female Single-Parent Families

With the increase of single-parent families in the Korean society, the perception of the function and structure of the family is changing. Thus, a public transition toward embracing single-parent families as another form of family is necessary. This study focuses on the families of divorced female single-parents using Walsh`s family resilience framework with a strengths-based perspective. It aims to provide the basic data necessary for deducing policy-related and practical ways of supporting the families and for developing programs that help divorced female single-parent families maintain and reinforce resilience. Qualitative analysis was used as the research method. A preceding literature review was also carried out to collect data. The major findings of this study include the following: First, it was found that the average age of divorce is around 30-40, with children of school age. The mothers` level of education was relatively high, ranging from high school graduates to graduate school students. On Rothwell and Cohen`s happiness scale, their objective level of happiness was higher (74.1) than that of the average Korean (64). Second, it was found they were very careful to avoid violence in everyday life as an after-effect of domestic violence, which was the major cause of their divorce. Third, their positive and optimistic attitudes about life even in adversity can be interpreted as Walsh`s belief systems taking a more important role among other characteristics of family resilience.

Management of multiple sclerosis in adolescents – current treatment options and related adherence issues

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that is increasingly recognized in children and adolescents. This realization comes with additional concerns about existing therapeutic options and the impact of the disease on health-related outcomes of adolescents with MS. This five-part review provides an update on management strategies relevant to the pediatric MS population. The first section gives an overview on the epidemiology and natural history of early onset MS. The second section outlines currently available MS treatments, including medications during acute relapses and long-term immunomodulatory therapies. The third section highlights adherence issues pertaining to MS, including the challenges uniquely faced by adolescents. The fourth section provides a summary of research into quality of life and psychosocial consequences of pediatric onset MS. Attention is drawn to the grief experience of affected adolescents and the importance of peer relationships. Finally, the family resilience framework is presented as a conceptual model to facilitate optimal adaptation of adolescents with MS. Healthcare professionals can promote resilience and treatment adherence by ensuring that these individuals and their families are sufficiently informed about available MS treatments, providing instrumental support for managing potential medication side effects, and addressing age-appropriate developmental needs.

La resilienza familiare: un modello integrato di ricerca e di intervento

- The transformations occurring within family relationships, on a psychological and social level, refer to a widespread and pervasive "fragility" of such relations and their meanings. The aim of the paper is to build an integrated model to understand the family protective and risk factors, according to the family resilience framework. An integrated model can facilitate a more attentive analysis of the family complexity, taking into account structural and processual variables, while overcoming the dichotic view that too often separates "families with problems", from "families with resources". This work will examine family functioning, adult attachment styles and relations with social workers, as part of the broader family resilience framework, in natural and foster families that refer to a Social Service in Genoa.

Un modello di resilienza familiare per l'intervento e la prevenzione

- This article illustrates the characteristics, applications, and advantages of a popular Family Resilience framework based on nine key processes: Making Meaning of Adversity, Positive Outlook, Transcendence and Spirituality, Flexibility, Connectedness, Social and Economic Resources, Clarity, Open Emotional Expression, and Collaborative Problem-solving. The construct of Family Resilience is proposed as having a great potential for interven-tion, prevention, research, and social policies aimed to strengthen families. Examples of possible applications are presented.

Against All Odds: Resilience in Single Mothers of Children with Disabilities

There is a substantial body of literature that explores family adaptation within the context of childhood disability. However, closer analysis indicates that the primary focus of this research is concentrated on two-parent family systems. Despite evidence to suggest that single mothers are more likely to be parenting children with disabilities, their experiences have received minimal attention within social science research. Furthermore, when single mothers do become the focus of study, much of the attention is directed toward identifying the deficits within their family systems. Grounded in an integrated family resilience framework, the intent of this study was to explore the family adaptation of single mothers of children with disabilities within a longitudinal framework and to identify the individual, family, social, and environmental factors that contribute toward resilience within this population. Study participants consisted of 15 single mothers who had previously participated in the “Family Strengths and Childhood Disability” research project. Mothers were interviewed with the view toward identifying their perceptions of what constitutes risk and protective factors, and exploring these in the context of family adaptation and resilience. Findings revealed a marked contrast between public discourses about single motherhood and childhood disability and the personal narratives of the mothers in this study. Concepts of family resilience were revealed by mothers who challenged definitions of single mothers as inadequate, who disputed the definition of their children as “disabled,” and who moved from a position of received to authoritative knowledge. The study demonstrates that in contrast to public perceptions, single mothers of children with disabilities view their experiences as personally transformative and as a means of building confidence that empowers them to further disrupt negative expectations of their families.

Facilitating family resilience with childhood illness and disability

The present review describes the clinical utility of a research-informed Family Systems-Illness model and a family resilience framework in helping families meet the challenges of child and adolescent illness, disability, and loss. Together they provide a psychosocial map to guide families through the illness experience over time and to facilitate effective coping and adaptation, thereby enhancing the quality of life for children and their families. Key processes and intervention guidelines of this strengths-oriented, collaborative approach are outlined, with attention to multigenerational, life cycle, and socio-cultural influences. A growing body of research on resilience finds that family resources are significant influences in positive adaptation to adversity, such as a major health problem. Research also demonstrates the impact of serious illness on families across the life cycle and the relationship of family dynamics to illness behavior, adherence, and disease course. The Family Resilience and Family Systems-Illness models offer a framework for collaborative practice to foster optimal coping and adaptation to chronic child and adolescent illness or disability.

From Family Deficit to Family Strength: Viewing Families' Contributions to Children�s Learning from a Family Resilience Perspective

This article presents an overview of a researchinformed family resilience framework, developed as a conceptual map to guide school counselors' preventive and interventive efforts with students and their families. Key processes that characterize children's and families' resilience are outlined along with recommendations for how school counselors might apply this family resilience framework in their work.

From Family Deficit to Family Strength: Viewing Families’ Contributions to Children's Learning from a Family Resilience Perspective

This article presents an overview of a research-informed family resilience framework, developed as a conceptual map to guide school counselors’ preventive and interventive efforts with students and their families. Key processes that characterize children's and families’ resilience are outlined along with recommendations for how school counselors might apply this family resilience framework in their work.

Systemic Training for Healthcare Professionals: The Chicago Center for Family Health Approach

There has been increasing interest in family-centered, collaborative, biopsychosocial models of care by health and mental health professionals and consumers. This trend has led to growing demand and development of specialized training in family systems approaches to health care. This article describes the Families, Illness, and Collaborative Healthcare programs developed at the University of Chicago affiliate, the Chicago Center for Family Health. The program philosophy is guided by the following principles: a systems orientation focused on the family, a Family Systems Illness Model, a family resilience framework, a family-centered collaborative model of health care, and a social justice and advocacy orientation. Specific training components that implement these principles are described, including intensive certificate and fellowships; workshops, conferences, and institutes; and consultation and training services for community-based organizations. Discussion includes professional networking opportunities, funding challenges, and policy recommendations.

Family resilience: a framework for clinical practice.

This article presents an overview of a family resilience framework developed for clinical practice, and describes its advantages. Drawing together findings from studies of individual resilience and research on effective family functioning, key processes in family resilience are outlined in three domains: family belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication/problem-solving. Clinical practice applications are described briefly to suggest the broad utility of this conceptual framework for intervention and prevention efforts to strengthen families facing serious life challenges.

A Family Resilience Framework: Innovative Practice Applications

An overview of a research‐informed family resilience framework, developed as a conceptual map to guide clinical intervention and prevention efforts with vulnerable families is presented. Building on studies of individual and family resilience and developments in strength‐based approaches to family therapy, this practice approach is distinguished by its focus on strengthening family functioning in the context of adversity. Key processes that foster resilience are outlined, as are several innovative family systems training and service applications.

Strengthening family resilience

I. Overview 1. Foundations of a Family Resilience Approach 2. Family Diversity and Complexity in a Changing World: Varied Challenges and Pathways in Resilience II. Key Family Processes in Resilience 3. Belief Systems: The Heart and Soul of Resilience 4. Organizational Processes: Relational and Structural Supports 5. Communication Processes: Facilitating Meaning Making, Mutual Support, and Problem Solving III. Practice Applications 6. Assessing Family Resilience: Useful Maps for Practice and Research 7. Practice Principles and Guidelines to Strengthen Family Resilience 8. Applying a Family Resilience Framework in Community-Based Services IV. Facilitating Family Resilience through Crisis, Transition, and Persistent Challenges 9. Challenges and Resilience over the Family Life Cycle: A Developmental Systems Perspective 10. Loss, Recovery, and Resilience 11. Traumatic Loss and Collective Trauma: Strengthening Family and Community Resilience 12. Serious Illness and Disabilities: Family Challenges and Resilience 13. Nurturing Resilience in Vulnerable, Multi-Stressed Families 14. Reconnection and Reconciliation: Healing Relational Wounds Appendix I. Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire Appendix II. Developing Resilience-Based Genograms: Outline and Sample Questions Appendix III. Exploring the Spiritual Dimension in Family Life: Sources of Distress and Resources for Well-Being, Healing, and Resilience References Index