What enables families to adapt when faced with adversity?

Many families experience difficult situations, but some families are better able to cope than others. To explore this further the Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu) today released In Focus: Family Resilience.

Recently the New Zealand government has focused on supporting the most vulnerable children and families, for example through introducing Children’s Teams.

‘Family resilience’ is a concept that explains how families adapt when faced with adversity.

Superu Chief Executive, Clare Ward explains: "We have reviewed evidence to help understand why some families achieve despite the odds, described as ‘resilience’".

"Internationally, programmes aiming to build family resilience and strengthen families’ protective factors are being implemented" Ward says.

"How do we, as families, individuals, communities and society equip each other to be resilient when times of adversity occur?" asks Ward.

"This publication highlights an opportunity for a cross-sector Government approach for vulnerable families that considers how to build resilience" says Ward.

Identifying critical times, such as becoming a parent, and then intervening early and equipping families to be resilient were identified as important in the In Focus: Family Resilience report.

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1508/In_Focus_Family_resilience.pdf

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