Components of Family Resilience

In her theoretical overview of family resilience, based on a clinical orientation to family functioning, Walsh (1998) outlined key family processes that operate as protective factors. While this framework is meant to reflect the “core” components of the concept of family resilience and the protective factors that contribute to it, it does not imply that to be deemed “resilient” families must demonstrate all of these characteristics at all times and in all situations.

These include:

• Family belief systems
• Family organisational processes
• Family communication processes

Family belief systems are further organised into three areas:

(1) making meaning of adversity (e.g. normalising or contextualising adversity and distress, seeing crises as meaningful or comprehensible, achieving a sense of coherence)

(2) affirming strengths and possibilities (e.g. maintaining courage and hope, remaining optimistic)

(3) transcendence and spirituality (e.g. seeking purpose in faith, rituals, creativity).

Family organisational processes are organised into three sub-areas:

(1) Flexibility refers to families’ ability to rebound and reorganise in the face of challenge and to maintain continuity through disruption.

(2) Connectedness is demonstrated in family members’ commitment to each other, while maintaining a balance with respect for individual needs and differences. It might also be demonstrated in co-operation in caregiving and other types of family partnerships.

(3) Mobilisation of social and economic resources - Social and economic resources are made available through processes such as the mobilisation of kin and community support networks in times of need, provision of support to vulnerable family members through the creation of multigenerational or multifamily groups and building of financial strength while balancing work and family life.

Family communication processes involve the concepts of clarity, open emotional expression and collaborative problem solving. Effective family functioning is achieved when messages are clear, true and consistent, when family members share a wide range of feelings and tolerate differences, using
humour and avoiding blame, and when problems are identified creatively and decisions are shared responsibly, with a proactive focus on goals and building on success.

From Family Resilience and Good Child Outcomes: A Review of the Literature, a New Zealand Report by Ariel Kalil