Resilience is one of the most important biopsychosocial concepts in contemporary social science. It may mediate the impact of adversity on family health, and be a potential location for intervention. There is a need for conceiving of the mechanisms within families that impact their health throughout the life cycle, including the investigation of how they handle illness. One framework that may assist in this is Walsh's family resilience framework. Previous attempts to create an empirical measure of this framework have serious issues with validity. The purpose of this study is to create a reliable and valid instrument that investigates Walsh's framework from the view of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The study uses feminist theory to emphasize a pluralistic application of family systems theory in the understanding and promotion of the experience of women, the promotion of all families over one family type, and the concept of intersectionality. A non-experimental quantitative design is used to develop a reliable and valid instrument that investigates Walsh's framework. A pilot study addressed the creation and revision of the Family Resilience Assessment (FRA), and a main study tested the revised FRA for emergent factors and model fit. Results indicate excellent reliability and beginning content, construct, and convergent validity. Analyses produced a better fitting model that replaces three latent variables with one and correlates two of the nine framework indicators. These preliminary analyses demonstrate that the FRA may be a valuable instrument with replication with larger samples and further revisions needed. Results further indicate that Walsh's framework is a sound method for conceiving of and better understanding family resilience. The framework may also be one way to study the mediating impact of family resilience on family health. / Ph. D.

Limited knowledge is available about the experiences and outcomes of family members, specifically those of children who were raised by parent(s) with disability. This gap in research is highly consequential, influencing the development of policies that are based on prejudiced assumptions about disabled parenting, rather than on empirical evidence. This study examined the experience of 13 adult children who were raised by at least one parent with disability in order to obtain a first-hand account of their perspectives. A transcendental phenomenology facilitated objectivity while capturing the essence of their experience. Research questions presented were the following: (a) What has been the experience of adult children who grew up with parent(s) with disability? (b) What familial, interpersonal, and/or personal contexts (if any) have produced a strengths-based retrospection of the experience? The study utilized Walsh's family resilience framework as a theoretical guide to counter deficit-focused research that has dominated disability research. Findings suggest the highly systemic and contextual quality of the experience, with children reporting overall strengths-based retrospections. Participants described family processes that were critical to the development of individual resilience, including belief systems, organizational processes, and open communication. Findings also demonstrated the development of favorable child outcomes such as empathy among adult children who were raised by parent(s) with disability. The findings have research, policy, and clinical implications, emphasizing the need to amplify disability discourses within the field of family science. / Doctor of Philosophy / Discrimination against parents with disability is a long-standing issue in US history, impacting policies that lead to the involuntary separation of families. Assumptions about disabled parenting that focus on individual impairment may have contributed to this issue. The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of adult children who grew up with a parent(s) with disability, to obtain a first-hand account of their perspectives. The research questions presented were (a) What has been the experience of adult children who grew up with parent(s) with disability? (b) What familial, interpersonal and/or personal contexts (if any) have produced a strengths-based retrospection of the experience? Based on an analysis of 13 single interviews, Walsh's family resilience framework was utilized to present the findings. Findings revealed three broad themes that characterize the experience. Overall, children report strengths-based perspectives, describing the family processes that were critical to effective navigation. The experience was also highly contextual and relational, challenging traditional perspectives that have historically prevailed. The study offers research, policy, and clinical implications, directing attention to the need to amplify disability discourses within the field of Family Science.

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify and enhance specific resilience qualities that help protect and support families in overcoming the adversity of having a child with a hearing impairment. The study was divided into two phases, namely (a) the descriptive phase, which aimed to identify and explore the resilience qualities that foster better adaptation in these families and (b) the intervention phase, which aimed to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention programme that enhances the utilisation of social support, one important resilience quality identified in the descriptive phase of the study. The study was essentially exploratory and descriptive in nature and was directed at developing scientific knowledge and theory in the field of family resilience. Using the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & McCubbin, 1996) as the theoretical framework, the resilience process was mapped in terms of stressors, risk and protective factors, and family adaptation. The 54 participating families in the descriptive phase were identified according to the nature of the crisis (hearing impairment) and the developmental phase of the family. The participants were obtained by means of a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure and were drawn from the black, coloured and white cultural subgroups residing in the Western Cape, South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used for data collection. The results were analysed predominantly according to correlation and regression analyses techniques, while the qualitative data was categorised according to themes and frequencies. Results showed that family time and routine, social support, affirming communication, family hardiness, problem-solving skills, religion, a search for meaning and accepting the disability were factors promoting resilience in these families. A randomised pretest-posttest control group design was applied in the intervention phase of the study. The 31 participants were identified in the initial phase of the study and belonged to the coloured cultural subgroup. Data was again collected using quantitative and qualitative measures and was analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance and grounded theory analysis. The results did not indicate a statistically significant change in the utilisation of social support following the implementation of the workshop. The qualitative data, however, highlighted that the participants reported greater support from the immediate and extended family, increased family time and routine, as well as improved communication and problem-solving skills following the workshop. The study generally offers valuable knowledge that can be incorporated in psychological and social training programmes, preventative community interventions and therapeutic settings. The positive and pragmatic approach adopted in the study ensures that families are empowered by bringing them hope, helping them develop new competencies and building mutual support. The study has opened various new avenues for future research in the field of family resilience and hearing impairment. / OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om spesifieke veerkragtigheidskwaliteite te identifiseer en versterk wat gesinne met ’n kind met ‘n gehoorgestremdheid teen teenspoed beskerm en ondersteun. Die studie is in twee verdeel, naamlik (a) die beskrywende fase, met die doel om die veerkragtigheidskwaliteite wat beter aanpassing in hierdie gesinne gekweek het, te identifiseer en ondersoek, en (b) die intervensiefase, met die doel om ’n intervensieprogram te ontwikkel, implementeer en evalueer wat die gebruik van sosiale ondersteuning, een van die belangrike veerkragtigheidskwaliteite wat in die beskrywende fase van die studie geïdentifiseer is, te verhoog. Die studie was in wese ondersoekend en beskrywend van aard en daarop gerig om wetenskaplike kennis en teorie in die veld van gesinsveerkragtigheid te ontwikkel. Met die gebruik van die Veerkragtigheidsmodel van Gesinspanning, Verstelling en Aanpassing (Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation) (McCubbin & McCubbin, 1996) as teoretiese raamwerk, is die veerkragtigheidsproses uitgestippel in terme van die oorsake van die spanning, risiko- en beskermende faktore, en gesinsaanpassing. Die 54 gesinne wat aan die beskrywende fase deelgeneem het, is op grond van die aard van die krisis (gehoorgestremdheid) asook die ontwikkelingsfase van die gesin geïdentifiseer. Die deelnemers is deur middel van ’n doelgerigte nie-waarskynlikheidsteekproefnemingsprosedure verwerf vanuit swart, kleurling en blanke gesinne wat in die Wes-Kaap, Suid- Afrika woon. Beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metings is vir data-insameling gebruik. Die resultate is hoofsaaklik aan die hand van korrelasie- en regressieontledingstegnieke geanaliseer, terwyl die kwalitatiewe data volgens temas en frekwensies gekategoriseer is. Die resultate het getoon dat gesinstyd en -roetine, sosiale ondersteuning, bevestigende kommunikasie, gesinsgehardheid, probleemoplossings-vaardighede, geloof, ’n soeke na betekenis en die aanvaarding van die gestremdheid faktore was wat die veerkragtigheid van hierdie gesinne bevorder het. ’n Ewekansige voor- en natoets kontrolegroep-ontwerp is tydens die intervensiefase van die studie toegepas. Die 31 deelnemers is tydens die aanvanklike fase van die studie geïdentifiseer en behoort tot die kleurling kulturele groep. Data is weereens deur middel van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metings ingesamel en is aan die hand van herhaalde metingsvariansieontleding en gegronde teorie-analise geanaliseer. Die resultate het geen statisties beduidende verskil in die gebruik van sosiale ondersteuning ná die implementering van die werkswinkel getoon nie. Die kwalitatiewe data het egter beklemtoon dat deelnemers ná die werkswinkel meer ondersteuning van hulle onmiddellike en uitgebreide familie geniet het, sowel as meer gesinstyd en -roetine, verbeterde kommunikasie en probleemoplossingsvaardighede. Oor die algemeen bied die studie waardevolle kennis wat by sielkundige en sosiale opleidingsprogramme, voorkomende gemeenskapsingryping en in terapeutiese raamwerke ingelyf kan word. Die positiewe en pragmatiese benadering in die studie verseker dat gesinne bemagtig word deur hulle hoop te bied, nuwe bekwaamhede te help ontwikkel en wedersydse ondersteuning op te bou. Die studie het talle nuwe weë vir toekomstige navorsing op die gebied van gesinsveerkragtigheid en gehoorgestremdheid gebaan.

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))--University of Stelenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A probe into resilience research has revealed that psychologists have taken on the role of “keepers of the crypt”, where our attained knowledge has been “entombed” by virtue of our reluctance to allow it to bear practical fruition. Consequently, the impetus of the research is a response to the aforementioned gap and is explicated in four phases: Phase 1: A detailed literature review consisting of the review and integration of appropriate preceding resilience research, thereby serving as a possible reference guide for future studies; Phase 2: Provision of a succinct, comprehensive framework for programme development within the field of psychology; Phase 3: Family hardiness was selected as the resilience quality to be attended to via the development of a universal, multidimensional resilience-enhancement programme; Phase 4: An assessment of whether the resilience-enhancement programme is successful in developing the selected resilience quality in families. Following the salutogenic approach, the main theoretical foundation of the investigation resides in the Resiliency Model of Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). The significant contribution of the research is its provision of a framework for programme development within the field of psychology. Self-report questionnaires and open-ended questions were completed by mothers as representatives of their families. Therefore, the research amalgamated both qualitative and quantitative measures in its quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest natural control-group research design. A total of fifty families living in the Western Cape, South Africa participated in the research. The statistical trends observed in the study hinted at the enhancement potential of family hardiness. It became evident that gender, level of education, income and occupation, emotional intelligence and the time frame of interventions affected the enhancement potential of family hardiness. Age may also play a role, but the conflicting research results render conclusions about the correlation between age and hardiness questionable. Comparative studies would clarify this aspect. Future studies attempting to develop these findings further, need to consider the influence of factors such as gender, level of education, income and occupation, emotional intelligence and the time frame of interventions. Family hardiness is but one of the identified resilience qualities. An exploration of the enhancement potential of other identified resilience qualities will provide a plethora of interventions for service providers to choose from, enabling them to meet families and communities at their point of need. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nadere ondersoek van veerkragtigheidsnavorsing het aangedui dat sielkundiges die rol van “bewaarders” aangeneem het, waar ons versamelde kennis verberg word as gevolg van ons onwilligheid om dit prakties toe te pas. Gevolglik is hierdie navorsing gedoen in respons op bogenoemde gaping in die navorsing, en word dit in vier fases gelewer: Fase 1: ’n literatuuroorsig wat die voorafgaande veerkragtigheidsnavorsing integreer en hersien ten einde as verwysingsgids te dien vir toekomstige studies; Fase 2: Die voorsiening van ‘n omvattende raamwerk vir programontwikkeling binne die veld van die sielkunde; Fase 3: Gesinsgehardheid is gekies as die veerkragtigheidsfaktor om deur middel van ’n universele, multidimensionele program verryk te word; Fase 4: ‘n Bepaling om te ontdek of die veerkragtigheidsverrykingsprogram suksesvol is om die geselekteerde veerkragtigheidsfaktor in families te verryk. Die studie is gedoen vanuit die salutogeniese benadering. McCubbin en Thompson (1991) se “Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation” is as teoretiese basis benut. Die navorsing se betekenisvolle bydrae lê in die voorsiening van ‘n raamwerk vir programontwikkeling binne die veld van sielkunde. Selfbeskrywingsvraelyste en oop vrae is deur moeders as verteenwoordigers van hulle gesinne voltooi. Die navorsing het dus van beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metings gebruik gemaak in die kwasi-eksperimentele voortoets-natoets, natuurlike kontrolegroep navorsingsontwerp. ’n Totaal van vyftig families wat in die Wes-Kaap van Suid Afrika woonagtig is, het aan die navorsing deelgeneem. Die statistiese neigings wat in die navorsing waargeneem is, sinspeel op die verrykingspotensiaal van gesinsgehardheid. Dit het aan die lig gekom dat geslag, opvoedkundige vlak, inkomste en beroep, emosionele intelligensie en die tydsduur van intervensies die verrykingspotensiaal van gesinsgehardheid beïnvloed. Ouderdom kan ook ‘n invloed hê, maar die teenstrydige navorsingsresultate in dié verband maak gevolgtrekkings oor die korrelasie tussen ouderdom en gesinsgehardheid twyfelagtig. Vergelykende studies sal die bogenoemde kan uitklaar. Toekomstige studies wat poog om die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing verder te ontwikkel, moet die invloed van faktore soos geslag, opvoedkundige vlak, inkomste en beroep, emosionele intelligensie en die tydsduur van intervensies in ag neem. Gesinsgehardheid is maar een geïdentifiseerde veerkragtigheidsfaktor. Verdere ondersoeke na die verrykingspotensiaal van ander veerkragtigheidsfaktore sal ‘n oorvloed van intervensies aan diensleweraars beskikbaar stel, ten einde in die behoeftes van families en gemeenskappe te voorsien.

Thesis (MA)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A chronic illness such as type 1 diabetes does not only have an impact on the individual’s physical and psychological well-being, but ultimately on the well-being of the family as a whole. The family typically fulfils the role of primary support structure for the diabetic child. Regardless of the physical and psychological challenges that form part of the illness, a large number of families are resilient. Families are able to adjust, adapt and cope adequately with a variety of life stressors. Consequently, this study aimed to identify and explore family resilience characteristics that are associated with family adaptation after the diagnosis of a chronic illness in a child. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & McCubbin, 2001) served as theoretical framework for this study. Fifty-one primary caregivers represented families with a child with type 1 diabetes who was a patient at a big state hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study used a mixed methods approach and it was expected from the participants to answer an open-ended question and complete four self-complete questionnaires. The dependent variable in the study is family adaptation, measured with the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8) (McCubbin & McCubbin, 2001). Based on the theory and previous studies, the following independent variables were used as measures: family hardiness (The Family Hardiness Index (FHI)), family patterns of communication (Family Problem Solving and Communication Scale (FPSC)) and family time spent together, as well as routines followed together (Family Time and Routine Index (FTRI)). The results show that family resilience characteristics that are significantly correlated with family adaptation are affirming communication in the family; the family’s willingness to accept change as positive; and family time spent together and routines followed in the family. The most important resilience characteristic according to the qualitative data is the support and information received from the paediatric diabetes specialist at the hospital. The family’s religious beliefs, and support received from their church, also play a significant role in their adaptation. This study contributes to the increasing need for and value of positive psychology. The study also creates an opportunity to educate families and medical personnel on the importance of implementing resilience characteristics in families to ensure better adaptation. Recommendations for future studies on resilience in families with a child with type 1 diabetes are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ’n Chroniese siekte soos tipe 1 diabetes het nie ’n enkelvoudige impak op die individu se fisiese en sielkundige welstand nie, maar uiteindelik ook op die gesin se welstand. Die gesin vervul tipies die rol van primêre ondersteuningsnetwerk vir die kind met diabetes. Ongeag die fisiese en sielkundige struikelblokke wat deel is van die siekte, bly ’n groot aantal gesinne steeds veerkragtig. Gesinne beskik oor die vermoë om verstellings te maak en aan te pas by ’n verskeidenheid van lewensstressors. Gevolglik het hierdie studie gepoog om gesinsveerkragtigheidskenmerke te identifiseer en te verken, nadat ’n kind met ’n chroniese siekte gediagnoseer is. Die Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & McCubbin, 2001) het gedien as die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie. Eenen- vyftig primêre versorgers het hul gesinne in die studie verteenwoordig. In elk van die gesinne was daar ’n kind met tipe 1 diabetes wat ’n pasiënt was by ’n groot staatshospitaal in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Die studie het gebruik gemaak van ’n gemengde-metode benadering en het van die deelnemers verwag om ’n oopeinde-vraag te beantwoord, sowel as vier kwantitatiewe vraelyste te voltooi. Die afhanklike veranderlike in die studie was gesinsaanpassing, gemeet met die Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8) (McCubbin & McCubbin, 2001). Gebasseer op die teorie en die bevindinge van vorige studies is die volgende meetinstrumente gebruik om die onafhanklike veranderlikes mee te meet: die Family Hardiness Index, Family Problem Solving and Communication Scale, en die Family Time and Routine Index. Die kwantitatiewe resultate toon die volgende gesinsveerkragtigheidskenmerke: positiewe kommunikasie wat in die gesin beoefen word; die gesin se bereidwilligheid om verandering te aanvaar en dit as positief te beskou; en gesinstyd saam en gesinsroetines wat beoefen word. Die belangrikste gesinsveerkragtigheidskenmerke volgens die kwalitatiewe data is die ondersteuning en inligting verkry vanaf die pediatriese diabetes-spesialis, die gesin se geloof en die ondersteuning wat hulle van hulle kerk verkry het. Hierdie studie dra by tot die toenemende behoefte aan en waarde van positiewe sielkunde. Die studie skep ook die geleentheid om gesinne en hospitaalpersoneel in te lig oor die noodsaaklikheid van die implementering en ontwikkeling van gesinsveerkragtigheidskenmerke vir die beter aanpassing van gesinne. Ten slotte word aanbevelings vir toekomstige veerkragtigheidstudies in gesinne met ’n kind met tipe 1 diabetes gemaak.

The balance between family support and child protection services is continuously challenged by high-profile cases. These highlight shortcomings both of the UK system and of research on the effectiveness of child maltreatment interventions (Munro, 2011). One such intervention is the Resolutions Approach to ‘denied’ child abuse (Turnell and Essex, 2006) – a systemic approach which creates a support network including extended family, friends, community members and professionals. There is, however, only limited research analysing the supporters’ experience of this intervention. In the present study five semi-structured group interviews were conducted in order to investigate how the family support network members made sense of their participation in Resolutions. Through a thematic analysis three related themes: returning hope; building safety and trusting a professional were identified. Additionally, special attention was paid to processes linked to the creation of family resilience (Walsh, 2003). Based on two contrasting case studies the potential creation of family resilience through Resolutions was discussed and clinical recommendations for creating family resilience within support networks were outlined.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T14:20:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CRISTINA MARIA BRILHANTE DA SILVA.PDF: 1529940 bytes, checksum: 7aba7f50418f9237ead026c762846fbe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-07 / Resilience can beunderstood as a dynamic process involving a positive adjustment despite of the circumstances of significant adversity. Though, when it comes to families that have children with cerebral palsy, the resilience process is a reality for the mothers interviewed in this research. However, the family s resilience phenomenon is a context that requires investigation from a conceptual and methodological point of view. This paper presents and discusses the coping, possibilities and adversities within the family circle. A notion of applied resilience in Psychology was taken as a basis. Thus, the goal of this study is to spot the resilience strategies of six mothers of kids with cerebral palsy among the numberless risk factors. For this, a qualitative research was employed, so that an action-research was used as an intervention, and the data collection was done by a focus group technique, being performed at APAE in Anápolis-GO. The development was guided by theoretical of the family resilience phenomena grounded in family beliefs of Walsh (2005). During the investigation a systematic chart of resilience process in mothers was obtained, which provides arrow indicators for coping strategies to other mothers in similar situations. From these charts, illustrative charts were elaborate which allowed presenting a general perspective of the attendant s speeches brought up in the focus group. They also made it possible to visualize the mother s common trajectory efficiently and positively. In general, the obtained data emphasizes the coping strategies, the beliefs expressed, in which the most presented were: sense of coherence and meaning, self faith and faith in God; active initiative and shared responsibility. Also, the undertaken actions that happened through the search of specialized treatment to people with cerebral palsy; the pursuit of rights and benefits were also found; furthermore, protection factors such as: APAE; PSF; friend and neighborhood were detected. Although, the results presented, there are others, such as: interaction nature that focused the backing: emotional, material, of information and evaluation. And finally, the other results presented were BPC admission, child s enrollment at APAE; neighbors start to help and specialized care acquisition. In conclusion, family resilience is real and has a lot to contribute and teach not only the families with disabled members, but also any family that faces this conflict regardless its nature. Therefore, the results awake the notion focus groups play a role as an indicator of protection in the family resilience demonstration.(Appendix I). / Resiliência pode ser compreendida como um processo dinâmico envolvendo uma adaptação positiva frente às circunstâncias de adversidade significativa. Entretanto, quando se trata de famílias que têm filhos com paralisia cerebral, o seu processo de resiliência é uma realidade presente nas mães entrevistadas nessa pesquisa. No entanto, o fenômeno da resiliência familiar é um contexto que requer investigações do ponto de vista conceitual e metodológico. Este trabalho apresenta e discute os enfrentamentos, possibilidades e adversidades presentes no círculo familiar. Tomou-se como base a noção de resiliência aplicada na Psicologia. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as estratégias de resiliência em seis mães de filhos com paralisia cerebral em meio há inúmeros fatores de risco. Para isso, empregou-se pesquisa qualitativa, de modo que se utilizou a pesquisa-ação como intervenção, e a coleta de dados teve como instrumento a técnica de grupo focal, sendo realizado na APAE de Anápolis- GO. O desenvolvimento foi pautado nos pressupostos teóricos do fenômeno da resiliência familiar fundamentado nos estudos das crenças familiares de Walsh (2005). No percurso da investigação obteve-se uma tabela sistemática do processo de resiliência em mães, que fornecem setas indicadoras para estratégia de superação para outras mães em condições similares. Dessas tabelas, se elaborou gráficos ilustrativos que permitiram apresentar um panorama geral dos discursos das participantes levantados no grupo focal. Também possibilitaram visualizar a trajetória comum das mães de modo eficaz e positivo. Em termos gerais, os dados obtidos enfatizaram as estratégias de enfrentamento, as crenças expressadas, das quais as mais apresentadas foram: senso de coerência e significado; fé em si e em Deus; iniciativa ativa e responsabilidade compartilhada. Como também, as ações empreendidas que se deram por meio da busca de tratamentos especializados para pessoa com paralisia cerebral; ainda verificou-se a procura de direitos e benefícios; o ingresso do filho na instituição da APAE e o solicitar ajuda à vizinhança. Além disso, foram detectados os fatores de proteção apontados como: APAE; PSF; amigos e vizinhança. Embora os resultados apresentados, ainda temos outros, tais como: natureza de interação que enfocou os suportes: emocional, material, de informação e de avaliação. E por fim, os demais resultados apresentados foram: admissão do BPC, ingresso do filho na APAE, a vizinhança passa ajudar e aquisição de atendimentos especializados. Conclui-se que a resiliência familiar é real e tem muito a contribuir e ensinar não apenas às famílias com pessoa com deficiência, mas qualquer família que passa por conflito seja qual for sua natureza. Portanto, os resultados despertaram a noção de que os grupos focais cumprem um papel de indicador de proteção na manifestação de resiliência familiar (APÊNDICE I).

Magister Artium - MA (Psychology) / Families in South Africa are faced with manifold hardships that negatively impact the family as a unit. However, there are a variety of protective factors that have been identified as meaningful resources that facilitates healing and growth within a family unit. The study aims to investigate whether age, gender, employment status and level of education significantly predicts family resilience. The study utilised secondary data compromised of (N=656) participants from a low socio-economic rural community in South Africa. Family resilience views the family as a functional system of which provides positive adaption to family members who have experienced stressful events. Walsh's key processes in family resilience is outlined, highlighting a multi-level developmental systems orientation. The study utilised a multiple regression analysis consisting of four predictor variables namely, age, gender, employment status and level of education to assess whether these variables predict high levels of family resilience. The model found that amongst the four predictor variable, only employment status significantly predicted family resilience.

No description available.

Magister Artium - MA (Psychology) / Historically, families living in disenfranchised communities were viewed as being dysfunctional. This view led to the perpetuation of the challenges and adverse situations faced by these families. It is important to view the family holistically rather than just to focus on the risk factors and/or the dysfunctional nature of the family. This study endeavoured to explore how the family functions and copes with the challenges they face. The aim of the study was to qualitatively explore the dimensions of family resilience as perceived by families in a rural community on the West Coast, South Africa. Family resilience theory was used as the theoretical framework for the research study. Three family resilience dimensions were explored. These dimensions are family belief systems, family organisation and resources, and family communication patterns. Participants were selected by means of nonprobability sampling. The local NGO in collaboration with the researcher identified the participants. The participants were homogenous in terms of being parents who participated in a parent support programme and were from the same community. Six semi-structured, oneon- one interviews were conducted as the data collection method. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged, in congruence with the theoretical framework. These themes were the family's belief system, their organisational patterns when faced with adversity, as well as the communication patterns of the family. The participants all reported that their strong sense of faith was used as coping mechanisms through their adversities. They had varying reports on how their family organised themselves and how they communicated. Some participants reported that living in a small community could at times be challenging, especially when sharing adversities as they feared community gossip, which then acted as a barrier to seeking help. The researcher adhered to the ethics requirements of the study in terms of confidentiality, provided the participants with informed consent forms and informed them of their rights as participants. Participants were free to discontinue the research process at any point without prejudice.