"We saw how life was going in Hanover Park and none of us wanted that life for ourselves" : Exploring resilience factors in the life narratives of community-engaged youth.

This study explored resilience factors within the life narratives of adolescents who live in a low-socioeconomic, high-violence community and have become long-standing members of a community youth development programme. Twenty youth were interviewed, ten girls and ten boys. A thematic analysis was conducted which revealed eight resilience characteristics common to the majority of the participants. These were: intelligence and academic achievement; insight; personal agency; determination and self-discipline; empathy; hope; future orientation; and religious faith. A second category of themes concerned the social support received by participants, from their mothers, teachers, adult mentors and friends. Forms of social support included material support; interest and encouragement; high expectations of success; guidance and boundary setting; role models for determination, strength and agency; and counselling. The motivational factors which influenced the participants to join the programme were also explored, as well as the factors which sustained their long-term involvement. An interpretation of the process of resilience in the participants’ lives is offered, highlighting the relationship between the presence of strong maternal attachment bonds and positive adult role models which influence the development of the resilience factors, which, in turn, lead to confidence, optimism for the future and a strong sense of personal agency, all of which contribute to the formation of a community activist identity for the participants. Some recommendations for policy regarding community youth programmes and for future research are discussed.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Veitch, Rosamond Catherine

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kaminer, Debbie

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13294

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13294