| Many children are raised in environments that are not conducive to healthy development, yet grow up to be productive, well-adjusted adults. Resilience is the term used to refer to better than expected outcomes. The purpose of this study was two-fold: first, to identify the challenges that exist to undermine development among youth growing up in urban areas of Nassau, Bahamas, and secondly, to gain a culturally sensitive understanding of positive adaptation or resilience among this group. Additionally, the study sought to identify the positive factors that serve to buffer the effects of the risk factors and ultimately promote resilience. A mixed method approached was utilized for this study; interviews were first conducted with older youth and then Grade 9 and Grade 11 students in two local public schools completed surveys. Relationships with parents and nonparental adults, self-efficacy, and involvement in meaningful activity were the factors that were significant predictors of resilience in this sample of urban Bahamian students. |
