Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Mental Health

Abstract #8
Title: Exploring the intersection between cumulative risk and protective factors in predicting mental health difficulties among children and young people
Presenter: Neil Humphrey (University of Manchester, UK)
Co-Author: Tanya Lereya, Jessica Deighton
Introduction: We address three objectives: (i) examine the nature and magnitude of the relationship between risk exposure and mental health difficulties among children and young people; (ii) assess the cumulative effects of individual and school-related protective factors on said outcomes; and (iii) examine the intersection between cumulative risk and protection.
Methods: A cross-sectional, multi-level natural variation design was utilized.  Our response variables were children and young people’s internalizing and externalizing mental health difficulties.  These were regressed onto a range of explanatory risk and protective variables operating at different levels of the developmental ecosystem (e.g., individual, family, school).  Approximately 7000 students (aged 10-14) in 12 areas across England provided data.  We will report multi-level analyses to determine the predictive utility of multiple versus cumulative risk perspectives, the functional form of the risk-outcome relationship, and the extent to which cumulative risk effects are moderated by the presence of individual and school-related protective factors.
Findings: To date, evidence of a non-linear, 'mass accumulation' effect of cumulative risk on externalising problems has been found; this effect explains variance above and beyond that accounted for by a multiple risk perspective.  Initial, exploratory analysis suggests that the presence of cumulative protective factors moderates the risk-outcome relationship.

Abstract #303
Title: Transcending disadvantage: enhancing resilience, empowerment and participation in children with additional needs.
Presenter: Cameron Gill (ParagonInc, Australia)
Co-Author: Teresa Butler
Introduction: Children with disabilities face challenges that often limit their opportunities to engage and participate to their full capacity.  Velocity is a program designed to assist children to transcend these challenges through developing resilience and challenging limiting expectations set by parents, professionals and society, and notions of learned helplessness.
Methods: Velocity is a weekly out of school program that provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to develop stronger social connections, challenge their bodies physically and learn vital leadership and resilience skills.
Findings: Children who participate in Velocity take more active roles in their communities.  They become more optimistic about their future.  They are less likely to be deterred by setbacks and are more confident in their ability to transcend their apparent limitations.