Family Resilience Predicts Socioeconomic Mobility of HUD Participants

Abstract

Changing economic times and government policies are reshaping the way the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides services nationwide; there is both a growing demand for housing and a desire to help families become self-sufficient. In this study, the authors examined factors that contribute to increased socioeconomic mobility through the lens of family resilience. Analyzing cross-sectional data from 411 families in the San Bernardino County HUD District using discriminant function analysis, results of this study show strong preliminary evidence that certain components of family resilience predict whether an individual head of household will have full-time employment. The results of this study provide implications for social service programs aimed at socioeconomic mobility.

Multidimensional Family Resilience Assessment: The Individual, Family, and Community Resilience (IFCR) Profile

“…In this review, 15 assessments were identified as having frequent use in the literature, yet not one of these assessments contained both a robust (comprehensive) analysis of resilience while also being psychometrically strong, leading to the conclusion that currently there is no gold standard for assessing resilience at multiple levels. Additionally as noted by previous researchers, to cover all of the concepts in Table 1 a researcher would have to employ upwards of 27 different assessments (McCubbin, Thompson, & McCubbin, 1996;Stiel, Estrella, Wang, & Distelberg, 2014). Currently no known study has included all of the concepts in Table 1 in one evaluation.…”

“…We tested the IFCR's predictive validity by measuring the IFCR's ability to discriminate within the sample those that were employed full time, those that were not employed, and those that were engaged in activities that were likely to lead to full-time employment. In a previous study (Stiel et al, 2014) the authors provided a protocol for how to construct an objective variable that would parallel the common Moving to Work housing program policies for measuring a family's current employment status. More specifically families are categorizes as compliant, contingent, and IFCR noncompliant with the Moving to Work policies to maintain full-time employment.…”

The development of a family resilience‐strengthening programme for families in a South African rural community

“…Strengthening family resilience processes through interventions have been shown to encourage transformation and growth (Acuña & Kataoba, 2017;Stiel et al, 2014;Vermeulen & Greeff, 2015). Multiple positive outcomes have been reported because of family-based research and interventions.…”

“…Interestingly, some studies have found that there is also more to the success of a well‐rounded family system than the mere addition of resources. Stiel, Estrella, Wang, and Distelberg's () study found intangible resources such as adequate social support was an essential component of the success of resource‐focused programs. The study evaluated 411 families who were enrolled within a resource‐focused Family Self‐Sufficiency Programme in California.…”

“…Using discriminant functional analysis, the aim was to predict whether a family's employment status could be predicted by demographic and family resilience factors. They found that the presence of two factors in particular would more likely predict employment of the participants: social support, communication, and problem‐solving skills (Stiel et al., ).…”