Family resilience: a collaborative approach in response to stressful life challenges

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511994791.012

10 - Family resilience: a collaborative approach in response to stressful life challenges

from Section 3 - Resilience in families, communities, and societies

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2011

Froma Walsh

Edited by

Steven M. Southwick ,

Brett T. Litz ,

Dennis Charney and

Matthew J. Friedman

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Steven M. Southwick: Affiliation:
Yale University School of Medicine
Brett T. Litz: Affiliation:
Boston University
Dennis Charney: Affiliation:
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Matthew J. Friedman: Affiliation:
Dartmouth University School of Medicine

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Summary

Introduction

Family resilience can be defined as the ability of families to withstand and rebound from disruptive life challenges, strengthened and more resourceful (Walsh, 2003, 2006). Building on studies of family stress, coping, and adaptation, and research on well-functioning family systems, family resilience is seen to involve dynamic processes that foster positive adaptation of the family unit and its members in the context of significant adversity (Walsh, 1996; Luthar et al., 2000).

This chapter presents core principles of resilience derived from a family systems orientation, highlighting sociocultural and developmental perspectives. The assessment of family resilience is described, identifying key processes that can be targeted to strengthen family resilience in intervention and prevention efforts. Program applications in training and services are described briefly to illustrate the broad utility of this systemic approach for intervention and prevention efforts.

Type: Chapter
Information: Resilience and Mental Health
Challenges Across the Lifespan
, pp. 149 - 161

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511994791.012 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2011

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