Relating Resilience Factors and Decision Making in Two Groups of Underserved Adolescents: Implications for Intervention
Introduction (excerpt)
Not all children exposed to significant environmental or social stress have negative outcomes. In fact, many children growing up under circumstances of poverty and trauma mature to become healthy, stable, and productive individuals (Masten, 2001 ). Resilience refers to the concept that some individuals have positive outcomes despite significant adversity. Research demonstrates that various psychosocial factors (e.g., the presence of at least one positive, stable adult influence in a child's life) are crucial for promoting resilience (Hawkins, Graham, Williams, & Zahn, 2009).
