Val,
Below are three abstracts that can get you started. I pasted these from a
search of Child Development Abstracts (URL below) using the terms
"resilience" or "resilient" These are not the definitive papers on the
topic, but they can provide an interesting starting point.
Dennis
http://www.srcd.org/cdab/index.html <http://www.srcd.org/cdab/index.html>
69-672. Smith, Jan; & Prior, Margot. (1995). Temperament and stress
resilience in school-age children: A within-families study. Journal of the
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 168-179.
Stress resilience was assessed in 81 school-age children from within 32
families acknowledging severe psychosocial stress. Resilient and
nonresilient children, identified via competence and behavior disorder
measures from school and home, were compared. Individual differences in
child and family attributes that were predictive of competent child
functioning varied according to the outcome measure used. Teachers' ratings
of positive temperament best discriminated children showing resilience on
all indicators, i.e., behavioral and social competence both at home and at
school, with maternal warmth and the number of adverse life events the child
had recently experienced also contributing. Level of maternal stress and
individual differences in child intelligence were related to academic
adjustment, but the child's age, sex, ability, and self-concept were not
significant discriminators of behavioral adjustment.
65-612. Johnson, Helen L.; Glassman, Marc B.; Fiks, Kathleen B. & Rosen,
Tove S. (1990). Resilient children: Individual differences in developmental
outcome of children born to drug users. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 151,
523-539.
We have been following the neurobehavioral development of a group born to
women on methadone maintenance and a drug-free comparison group. We used the
data from 36 months to determine distinct patterns and which medical,
familial, or environmental characteristics are associated. Three distinct
clusters emerged, with methadone children disproportionately frequent in
Cluster 3, showing the poorest development. Comparisons revealed consistent
differences between Cluster 1 and Cluster 3 children in maternal
responsiveness and incidence of neglect and family violence.
68-650. Luthar, Suniya S.; Doernberger, Carol H. & Zigler, Edward (1993).
Resilience is not a unidimensional construct: Insights from a prospective
study of inner-city adolescents. Development and Psychopathology, 5,
703-717.
The maintenance of high social competence despite stress was examined in a
6- month prospective study of 138 inner-city ninth-grade students. The
purpose was to provide a replication and extension of findings derived from
previous cross-sectional research involving a comparable sample of children.
Results indicated that high-stress children who showed impressive behavioral
competence were highly vulnerable to emotional distress over time. Almost
85% of the high-stress children who seemed resilient based on at least one
domain of social competence at Time 1 had significant difficulties in one or
more domains examined when assessed at both Time 1 and Time 2.
Dennis M. Goff
Dept. of Psychology
Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Lynchburg, VA 24503
-----Original Message-----
From: Val McDonald [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, June 25, 1999 3:01 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Superkids
I seem to recall that some years (or decades) ago a noted developmental
psychologist wrote about "superkids" who appeared to be impervious to
adverse environments. Unfortunately, I can't recall his name and,
accordingly, am unable to look up any references to his work or writings.
If any one could help with a name or a reference, the assistance would be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Val.
Dr. Valerye McDonald
Professor
Psychology Department
University College of the Fraser Valley
Abbotsford, B. C.,
Canada
