Resilience in highly stressed urban children: concepts and findings

Bull N Y Acad Med. 1996 Winter;73(2):267-84.

Abstract

The Rochester Child Resilience Project is a coordinated set of studies of the correlates and antecedents of outcomes relating to resilience among profoundly stressed urban children. The studies have been conducted over the course of the past decade. Based on child test data, parent, teacher, and self ratings of child adjustment, and in-depth individual interviews with parents and children, a cohesive picture has developed of child and family milieu variables that consistently differentiate children with resilient versus stress-affected outcomes within this highly stressed sample. Resilient children are characterized by an easy temperament and higher IQ; sound parent/child relationships; a parent's sense of efficacy; the parent's own wellness, especially mental health; and the child's perceived competence, realistic control, empathy, and social problem-solving.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Attitude
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Empathy
  • Family
  • Humans
  • Intelligence
  • Internal-External Control
  • Life Change Events
  • Mental Health
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Problem Solving
  • Self Concept
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
  • Teaching
  • Temperament
  • Urban Health*