Objective
The aim of the project was to explore the factors which enable adolescents to function well in our society, to develop and maintain resilience and enable them to bounce back successfully after setbacks in their daily lives. The significance of the research pertaining to my work as a school counsellor was to highlight the factors to focus on strengthening for students who are having difficulty coping with life and the stresses and challenges we face.
Method
The range of participants involved was four young people who completed their Higher School Certificate in, or prior to, 2006. The research was a qualitative design. Participants were interviewed for approximately half an hour on how each individual bounced back in the face of an adversity during their adolescence.
Results
Resilience factors were formulated into individual, family and community supportive factors supported by the Compensatory, Protective Factor and Challenge Models of resilience. Cognitive skills and connectedness with at least one adult were also determinants of resilience.
Conclusions
What was clear from this study was that all participants were able to demonstrate aspects of positive factors as identified in the literature to build their personal resilience. While resilience does not require a child or adolescent to possess every positive factor deemed to build, enhance and maintain resilience it appears that if one develops resilience during their life, they will have the skills and strategies required to overcome life’s challenges and lead a mentally healthy, psychologically prosperous life.