A review of quantitative studies of South African youth resilience: Some gaps

Abstract

Resilience (positive adjustment to hardship) relies on a socioecologically facilitated process in which individuals navigate towards, and negotiate for, health-promoting resources, and their social ecology, in return, provides support in culturally aligned ways (Ungar, Trauma Violence & Abuse 2013;14(3):255–266). In the light of international critiques of the conceptualisation and measurement of resilience, the aim of this study was to systematically review quantitative studies of South African youth resilience in order to consider to what extent such studies failed to address documented critique (Luthar et al., Child Development 2000;71(3):543–562). We argue that, for the most part, quantitative studies of South African youth resilience did not mirror international developments of understanding resilience as a complex socioecologically facilitated process. Furthermore, the majority of reviewed studies lacked a culturally or contextually sound measurement and contained conflicting operationalisations of resilience-related constructs. Essentially, the results of this study call for quantitative studies that will statistically explain the complex dynamic resiliencesupporting transactions between South African youth and their contexts and guide mental health practitioners and service providers towards more precise explanations and promotion of resilience in South African youth.

Individual-level factors associated with mental health in Rwandan youth affected by HIV/AIDS

“…However, few such studies in African countries exist outside of South Africa, and there are even fewer quantitative studies of factors contributing to resilience in African youth. Recent review of studies of resilience in youth in South Africa found that positive cognitive appraisal, and internal locus of control, a sense of self-worth, and a preference for socially appropriate behavior were important individual-level protective factors, but the reviews noted that the majority lacked a culturally or contextually sound measurement [7, 8]. …”

The Vulnerability and Resiliency of Childhood

“…These may not manifest until adulthood. Vulnerability factors include challenging social ecosystem such as violent living condition, adverse life events such as death of parents and biological factors such as genetic predispositions (Van Rensburg et al, 2015) The poor health outcomes are varied and include alcoholism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depressive disorders, malignancies, obesity, increased suicidal behaviour, ischemic heart disease and multiple other illnesses (Franke, 2014).…”

“…It is the experience that has emerged from adversities with good outcomes (Daniel, 2010). Initially, it was thought as a person-centred matter; however, later it was revealed as complex interactions between an individual and his/ her surrounding ecology (Van Rensburg et al, 2015). Resilience is the capability of positive adaptations or the ability to maintain or regain mental health, despite experiencing adverse situations (Franke, 2014;Wood & Bhatnagar, 2015;Moreno et al, 2016).…”

Risk Factors and Protective Factors in the Family of Origin in the Biographies of Two Adult Rehabilitation Centre Wards – Case Study of Two Women

“…It should be stressed that most empirical studies based on the concept of resilience are quantitative (e.g. Ostaszewski et al, 2008Ostaszewski et al, , 2009Ostaszewski et al, , 2011Zara, Farrington, 2010;Van Rensburg et al, 2015;Muntean, Cojocaru, 2016). This means that their authors posit a set of factors and disordered behaviours, which are determined as important in the course of statistical analysis.…”