Identifying Factors Contributing to Child and Adolescent Resiliency Following a Residential Fire: The Role of Social Support, Coping and Ethnicity

Although some children develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event, such as a residential fire, many children continue to function normally. The link between trauma and posttraumatic stress has been well-established; however, less is known about the relationship between trauma and resiliency. Traditionally, resilience has been defined as behavioral competence and external adaptation, although the role of internalizing disorders in resilience is now being recognized. The purpose of this study was to examine resiliency, as conceptualized by both internal and external competence, following a residential fire. This study also sought to examine the roles of social support, coping and ethnicity in moderating the relationship between resource loss and resiliency. Results indicated there was a significant relationship between loss and resiliency. Specifically, resource loss was found to negatively predict resiliency. None of the proposed moderators were found to be significant. Implications for these findings will then be discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Goel, Kathryn Schwartz

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Jones, Russell T.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Dunsmore, Julie C.
• Deater-Deckard, Kirby

• adolescents
• residential fire
• Children
• coping
• social support
• Resilience

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05072009-140649

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/32335