An Organizational Framework for Conceptualizing Resilience in Children

TOPIC: An organizational framework for conceptualizing resilience in children. PURPOSE: To propose a framework based on relevant literature that clarifies, differentiates, organizes, and elaborates on pertinent factors associated with resilience in children. SOURCES: Relevant literature from developmental psychology, child, psychiatry, and nursing. CONCLUSIONS: Salient factors affecting resilience in children originate internally or externally to the individual. Internal factors include biological and psychological factors; external factors are reflected in the nature and quality of relationships established within or outside the family group. The influence and importance of each factor, however, may vary in individual situations. The framework can guide research efforts and facilitate interventions for practice.