| Resilience has been investigated and observed in many diverse, at-risk populations. A significant amount of the research has focused on investigations of the factors associated with resilience (particularly individual, family, and community factors) that contribute to positive outcomes. While resilience researchers have recognized the relevance and applicability of the findings to prevention and intervention, less attention has been given to the application of the research to therapeutic interventions designed to promote resilience in children and adolescents. This dissertation highlights resilience promotion efforts with at-risk youth in the family, school, and therapeutic context. Resilience has been linked to protective factors within the family and school indicating the potential for these contexts to promote resilience in at-risk youth. This dissertation also presents a therapeutic model designed to foster resilience in children and adolescents exposed to stress, risk, and adversity. Included in the model is consideration of the implications of the resilience research and literature on attachment theory. Research suggests a connection between attachment security and characteristics of resilient youth. Thus, attachment theory has important implications for therapeutic interventions aimed at fostering resilience in at-risk youth. |
