Factors associated with resilience in families after a house robbery incident

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: The primary aim of this study was to identify the characteristics and resources that families possess that enable them to adapt successfully, and as such be resilient, despite having experienced a house robbery. The study was rooted within the contextual framework of the Resiliency Model of Adjustment and Adaptation of McCubbin, Thompson and McCubbin (1996). Self-report questionnaires were completed by 32 families who had experienced a house robbery between January 2010 and December 2014. The self-report questionnaires were based on the Resiliency Model of Adjustment and Adaptation. In addition, families were required to complete a biographical questionnaire and seven open-ended questions relating to their experience of factors relating to adaptation. The results point towards the importance of resilience factors in adaptation. The most significant resilience factors identified in this study are: family hardiness and commitment; the ability to redefine the stressor; support from family, relatives and friends; the importance of having family time and routines (specifically mealtimes together, regular communication between children and parents, and quality time spent together); and the security measures that were installed/upgraded following the event. The clinical utility of the study in facilitating adaptation lies in its ability to provide families with confirmation of the value of their efforts to provide support and encouragement to each other and to promote their unity and togetherness through routines and family time together. Family resilience theory provides a relevant framework within which the process of adapting to a house robbery can be considered. By applying these theories to their specific crisis situation, families can work towards identifying, as well as implementing, those factors that will lead to better adaptation, and thus increased resilience.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University