Enhancing Resilience: Families and Communities as Agents for Change

Abstract

In this article, the Linking Human Systems (LINC) Community Resilience model, a theoretical framework for initiating and sustaining change in communities that have undergone rapid and untimely transition or loss, is presented. The model assumes that individuals, families, and communities are inherently competent and resilient, and that with appropriate support and encouragement, they can access individual and collective strengths that will allow them to transcend their loss. This competence can be nurtured by helping people regain a sense of connectedness with one another; with those who came before them; with their daily patterns, rituals, and stories that impart spiritual meaning; and with tangible resources within their community. Rather than imposing artificial support infrastructures, LINC interventions engage respected community members to act as natural agents for change. These "community links" provide a bridge between outside professionals, families, and communities, particularly in circumstances in which outside intervention may not be welcomed. The article illustrates how LINC interventions successfully have been used in communities around the world.

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory for modelling community resilience to natural disasters

“…Berger (2005) concluded that adopting a multi-systemic approach was effective, not only in dealing with individuals and families, but also in changing the mood and functioning of the community. Ager et al (2010), Kumpfer and Summerhays (2006), Landau (2007), Mertensmeyer and Fine (2000 and Ungar (2010) cite similar theoretical frameworks for assessing, initiating and sustaining change in traumatised individuals and families.At a different level, Stewart et al (2009) discuss the interrelationships between public and private organisations to support community resilience and described a model of interaction that parallels Bronfenbrenner's framework. Community resilience is embedded within its economic and social systems.…”

“…Berger (2005) concluded that adopting a multi-systemic approach was effective, not only in dealing with individuals and families, but also in changing the mood and functioning of the community. Ager et al (2010), Kumpfer and Summerhays (2006), Landau (2007), Mertensmeyer and Fine (2000) and Ungar (2010) cite similar theoretical frameworks for assessing, initiating and sustaining change in traumatised individuals and families.…”

Resiliencia Familiar: un enfoque de investigación e intervención con familias multiproblemáticas

“…Sin embargo, se requiere mucha más investigación desarrollada específicamente desde este enfoque, lo que implica ciertos desafíos metodológicos que se analizarán en la discusión. aplicaciones posibles del enfoque de resiliencia familiar el concepto de resiliencia familiar ha sido aplicado recientemente en la terapia familiar (Hawley, 2000;Walsh, 2003), en los programas integrales de intervención clínica familiar (lee, greene, Hsu, Solovey, grove, Fraser et al, 2009), en intervención psicosocial con familias multiproblemáticas (Sousa, 2008), en servicios de terapia ocupacional y salud mental (abelenda & Helfrich, 2003), en el campo de la salud familiar (borges & Silva, 2010) y en el manejo de catástrofes naturales, terrorismo o crisis económicas (landau, 2007, 2010Walsh, 2007). a continuación se muestran iniciativas implementadas en Chile que se consideran potencialmente congruentes con los principios de un modelo ecosistémico de resiliencia familiar, en tres áreas de alta relevancia pública: la promoción del desarrollo infantil temprano; la prevención secundaria del maltrato infantil y la negligencia parental; y la atención en centros de salud familiar.…”

“…esto muestra que podemos estimular la resiliencia familiar desde nuestro rol profesional, ya sea: disminuyendo las demandas y tensiones que sobrepasan a la familia, facilitando su capacidad de contrapeso; promoviendo y movilizando sus capacidades, fortalezas y recursos disponibles -en ellas mismas y en su entorno-; estimulando la cohesión o conexión relacional entre sus miembros; y elaborando y modificando sus sistemas de creencias y significados compartidos (Hawley, 2000;Kalil, 2003;landau, 2007, 2010Patterson, 2002b;Sousa, 2008;Walsh, 2003Walsh, , 2007. es importante, en el análisis previo a comenzar la intervención, darse tiempo para identificar claramente el escenario que se enfrenta (riesgo, deterioro o tensión familiar) para seleccionar la estrategia adecuada a seguir (contrapeso, recuperación o fortalecimiento preventivo).…”

“…asimismo, el diseño e implementación de nuevos modelos de apoyo e intervención familiar y comunitaria, especialmente frente a familias multiproblemáticas y en riesgo social (gómez & Cifuentes, 2010;Kotliarenco et al, 2009;landau, 2007, 2010lee et al, 2009;Sousa, 2008) requieren potenciar progresivamente el uso de las herramientas que este enfoque ofrece.…”