Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Youth Resilience and Culture pp 37–48Cite as

Resilience and Culture: The Diversity of Protective Processes and Positive Adaptation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 11))

Abstract

A common set of personality, cognitive, behavioural and sociopolitical factors (e.g., safe streets, good schools, effective governance) have been identified as protective for populations exposed to individual and collective adversity in different parts of the world. While these protective factors appear to be relevant to our understanding of resilience across multiple cultures, there remains a tension between what is similar (homogeneity) and different (heterogeneity) among diverse ethnoracial and cultural groups. In this chapter I explore this tension by first presenting a social ecological model of resilience that can account for cultural variation. I’ll then show through case examples how seven protective processes are each shaped by the collective constructions of meaning and everyday practices that distinguish one culture from another. Specifically, I’ll discuss how relationship building, identity development, experiences of power and control, striving for social justice, access to material resources like food and education, the development of a sense of social cohesion (including a sense of belonging and spirituality), and adherence to cultural practices look very different depending on an individual’s immersion or resistance to a particular culture’s values. Examples are provided that show how studies of resilience that are more inclusive have the potential to identify as yet unnamed protective processes commonplace to many populations globally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abramson, D. M., Park, Y. S., Stehling-Ariza, T., & Redlener, I. (2010). Children as bellwethers of recovery: Dysfunctional systems and the effects of parents, households, and neighborhoods on serious emotional disturbance in children after Hurricane Katrina. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 4(Supp. 1), S17–S27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M. (2008). Multicultural perspectives on developmental psychopathology. In J. J. Hudziak (Ed.), Developmental psychopathology and wellness: Genetic and environmental influences (pp. 23–48). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alegria, M., Vila, D., Woo, M., Canino, G., Takeuchi, D., Vera, M., … Shrout, P. (2004). Cultural relevance and equivalence in the NLAAS instrument: Integrating etic and emic in the development of cross-cultural measures for a psychiatric epidemiology and services study of Latinos. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 13(4), 270–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bamba, S., & Haight, W. L. (2011). Child welfare and development: A Japanese case study. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Barber, J. G. (2006). A synthesis of research findings and practice and policy suggestions for promoting resilient development among young people in care. In R. J. Flynn, P. M. Dudding, & J. G. Barber (Eds.), Promoting resilience in child welfare (pp. 418–429). Ottawa, Canada: University of Ottawa Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W., Phinney, J. S., Sam, D. L., & Vedder, P. (2006). Immigrant youth: Acculturation, identity, and adaptation. Applied Psychology, 55(3), 303–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackstock, C., & Trocmé, N. (2005). Community-based child welfare for Aboriginal children: Supporting resilience through structural change. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 24(12), 12–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bottrell, D., & Armstrong, D. (2012). Local resources and distal decisions: The political ecology of resilience. In M. Ungar (Ed.), The social ecology of resilience: A handbook of theory and practice (pp. 247–264). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brislin, R. W., Lonner, W. J., & Thorndike, R. M. (1973). Cross-cultural research methods. New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butcher, J. N., Nezami, E., & Exner, J. (1998). Psychological assessment of people in diverse cultures. In S. S. Kazarian & D. R. Evans (Eds.), Cultural clinical psychology: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 61–105). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chavous, T., Rivas-Drake, D., Smalls, C., Griffin, T., & Cogburn, C. (2008). Gender matters, too: The influences of school racial discrimination and racial identity on academic engagement outcomes among African American adolescents. Developmental Psychology, 44(3), 637–654.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dei, G., Massuca, J., McIsaac, E., & Zine, J. (1997). Reconstructing “drop-out”: A critical ethnography of the dynamics of black students’ disengagement from school. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dotterer, A. M., McHale, S. M., & Crouter, A. C. (2009). Sociocultural factors and school engagement among African American youth: The roles of racial discrimination, racial socialization, and ethnic identity. Applied Developmental Science, 13(2), 61–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DuMont, K. A., Ehrhard-Dietzel, S., & Kirkland, K. (2012). Averting child maltreatment: Individual, economic, social, and community resources that promote resilient parenting. In M. Ungar (Ed.), The social ecology of resilience: A handbook for theory and practice (pp. 199–217). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, B. F., Stinson, F. S., Hasin, D. S., Dawson, D. A., Chou, S. P., & Anderson, K. (2004). Immigration and lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61(12), 1226–1233.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, A. R. (2007). “This is my home:” A culturally competent model program for African-American children in the foster care system. Focal Point: Research, Policy, & Practice in Children’s Mental Health, 21(Summer), 25–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinonen, P. (2011). Youth gangs and street children: Culture, nurture and masculinity in Ethiopia. New York, NY: Berghahn Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (2011). Conservation of resource caravans and engaged settings. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 84, 116–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnakumar, A., Buehler, C., & Barber, B. K. (2004). Cross‐ethnic equivalence of socialization measures in European American and African American Youth. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(3), 809–820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langille, D. B., Flowerdew, G., & Andreou, P. (2004). Teenage pregnancy in Nova Scotia communities: Associations with contextual factors. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 13(2), 83–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, C. R., Carlson, E. A., & Egeland, B. (2006). The impact of foster care on development. Development and Psychopathology, 18, 57–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luthar, S. S. (Ed.). (2003). Resilience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCubbin, H. I., Thompson, E. A., Thompson, A. I., & Fromer, J. E. (1998). Resiliency in native American and immigrant families. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCubbin, H. I., Thompson, E. A., Thompson, A. I., & Futrell, J. A. (1998). Resiliency in African-American families. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen-Gillham, V., Giacaman, R., Naser, G., & Boyce, W. (2008). Normalising the abnormal: Palestinian youth and the contradictions of resilience in protracted conflict. Health & Social Care in the Community, 16(3), 291–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pecora, P. J. (2012). Maximizing educational achievement of youth in foster care and alumni: Factors associated with success. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 1121–1129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reich, J. W., Zautra, A. J., & Hall, J. S. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of adult resilience. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogoff, B. (2003). The cultural nature of human development. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, T., Conger, D., & Armstrong, M. (2002). Bridging child welfare and juvenile justice: Preventing unnecessary detention of foster children. Child Welfare, 81(3), 471–494.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Quinton, D., & Hill, J. (1990). Adult outcome of institution-reared children: Males and females compared. In L. N. Robins & M. Rutter (Eds.), Straight and devious pathways from childhood to adulthood (pp. 135–157). Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santor, D. A., Messervey, D., & Kusumakar, V. (2000). Measuring peer pressure, popularity, and conformity in adolescent boys and girls: Predicting school performance, sexual attitudes, and substance abuse. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29(2), 163–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, G. (2000). Resilience and family placement: A lifespan perspective. Adoption and Fostering, 25(1), 6–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoon, I. (2006). Risk and resilience: Adaptations in changing times. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J., & Ungar, M. (2012). An interview with Jude Simpson: Growing beyond a life of abuse and gang involvement in New Zealand. In M. Ungar (Ed.), The social ecology of resilience: A handbook of theory and practice (pp. 85–90). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Skovdal, M., & Campbell, C. (2010). Orphan competent communities: A framework for community analysis and action. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 5(S1), 19–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theron, L., & Engelbrecht, P. (2012). Caring teachers: Teacher-youth transactions to promote resilience. In M. Ungar (Ed.), The social ecology of resilience: A handbook of theory and practice (pp. 265–280). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Totten, M. (2000). Guys, gangs & girlfriend abuse. Peterborough, Canada: Broadview.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M. (2004). A constructionist discourse on resilience: Multiple contexts, multiple realities among at-risk children and youth. Youth and Society, 35(3), 341–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M. (2008). Resilience across cultures. British Journal of Social Work, 38(2), 218–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M. (2011). The social ecology of resilience: Addressing contextual and cultural ambiguity of a nascent construct. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 81, 1–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M. (2012). Social ecologies and their contribution to resilience. In M. Ungar (Ed.), The social ecology of resilience: A handbook of theory and practice (pp. 13–32). New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M., Brown, M., Liebenberg, L., Othman, R., Kwong, W. M., Armstrong, M., & Gilgun, J. (2007). Unique pathways to resilience across cultures. Adolescence, 42(166), 287–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M., & Liebenberg, L. (2011). Assessing resilience across cultures using mixed methods: Construction of the child and youth resilience measure. Journal of Multiple Methods in Research, 5(2), 126–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Graan, A., Van der Walt, E., & Watson, M. (2007). Community-based care of children with HIV in Potchefstroom, South Africa. African Journal of AIDS Research, 6(3), 305–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E., & Smith, R. S. (1982). Vulnerable but invincible: A longitudinal study of resilient children and youth. New York, NY: Adams, Bannister, and Cox.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E., & Smith, R. S. (2001). Journeys from childhood to midlife. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Michael Ungar

Authors
  1. Michael Ungar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Ungar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    Linda C. Theron

  2. Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Linda Liebenberg

  3. Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Michael Ungar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ungar, M. (2015). Resilience and Culture: The Diversity of Protective Processes and Positive Adaptation. In: Theron, L., Liebenberg, L., Ungar, M. (eds) Youth Resilience and Culture. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9415-2_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation