Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Families and Resilience

Abstract #40
Title: Thrive Anyway: fostering personal and family resilience in the midst of life threatening illness
Presenter: Eileen Dahl (Private Practice: Speaker and Consultant, Canada)
Introduction: When diagnosed with a life threatening illness as a parent, how does one sort through the fear and sense of helplessness to assist themselves and their family?  The author integrates personal and professional learnings as a family caregiver, hospital chaplain and cancer patient to help herself and her family thrive.
Methods: The author utilized reflective practice, reviewing personal and professional narratives to integrate learnings and glean tools that provide direction in times of personal, family distress due to a life threatening illness.  Adopting a broad perspective on maintaining and building health and wellness, adapting learnings from other contexts, and using Michael Ungar’s “Nine Things All children Need to Be Resilient” as a roadmap of hope and intentionality, the author discovers principles to build personal and family resilience that will help them cope and thrive through a future of illness/treatment and eventually end of life, grief and loss.  
Findings: As a parent facing the expectation of lifelong illness/treatment and an early death, integrated learning with a personal and family resilience focus provides a roadmap of hope and intentionality that has resulted in improved health, quality of life, and the ability to thrive in the midst of uncertainty. 

Abstract #239
Title: An exploration of the family resilience needs of a rural community in South Africa: A sequential explanatory mixed methodological design
Presenter: Serena Isaacs (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)
Co-Authors: Nicolette Roman, Shazly Savahl
Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify and explore the family resilience needs in a rural community on the West Coast, South Africa.
Methods: An explanatory mixed methodological sequential design was implemented for this study.  First, the quantitative assessment took the form of Sixbey’s family resilience assessment scale and a convenient door-to-door sampling method was implemented.  Second, the qualitative exploration took the form of four focus groups with participants. All participants were identified with the assistance of the local non-government organisation.
Findings:  “Family connectedness” and “Utilising social and economic resources” were the lowest scoring dimensions.  Three thematic categories emerged providing the basis for further exploration of the results of the quantitative assessment.  The study’s mixed method approach offers a unique perspective on understanding the resilience needs of the families of this community.

Abstract #174
Title: Exploring the contribution of preventive family strengthening programmes in building resilient families through encouraging reciprocal relationships 
Presenter: Rumbidzai Mujoko (University of Fort hare, South Africa)
Co-Author: Pius Tangwe Tanga
Introduction: Positive reciprocal relationships help families to be resilient when faced by challenges. Strained relationships in the family contributes to family break down. The study explores the contribution of selected preventive family strengthening programmes (marriage enrichment and parenting programme) in building resilient families through encouraging reciprocal relationships.
Methods: Mixed methods were used. Quantitative data was collected through a survey from 100 parents who attended selected preventive educational programmes. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews with 15 social workers who are involved in the implementation of programmes the programmes.
Findings: Parents who attended programmes had reciprocal relationships with other family members that help families thrive through difficulties. Parents who had less reciprocal relationships in their families had cultural backgrounds as a hindrance. The paper recommends indigenization of programmes to address cultural issues that encourage reciprocal relationships in the African context.