Abstract
We present a model of the structure and dynamics of the development of resilience among maltreated children. We created the model from a qualitative analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 40 Israeli victims of child abuse and neglect. Findings indicate that children develop resilience by using their cognitive processes to distance themselves from their harsh reality and move to alternative “places of being.” Such movement along with the new locations creates various pathways for building resilience to abuse. The development of alternative worlds provides these children and youth with the opportunity to create new meaning systems that buffer the detrimental effects of abuse and enhance their resilience. Implications for policy and practice concerning children and youth at-risk are suggested.
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Notes
The quantitative component included a national survey to determine the incidence and prevalence of child abuse and the reasons for disclosure or lack of disclosure. Correlates of child abuse and types of abuse were also explored. The qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews with 130 male and female, children and youths, aged 12 to 17, victims of neglect and abuse, across various cultural groups living in Israel, including Jews and Israeli Arabs. The study also includes 80 interviews with professionals, meant to enable the multifaceted exploration of abuse from the perspective of various participants in the process. The information will be presented to practitioners and researchers in the form of a national database, which can be used for the development of intervention models.
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This research was supported and funded by Traiana Technologies, Inc.
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Carmel, Y., Sigad, L., Lev-Wiesel, R. et al. Pathways to Resilience Among Israeli Child Victims of Abuse and Neglect. Child Ind Res 8, 551–570 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-014-9255-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-014-9255-5