Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Killam Professor, Co-Director Resilience Research Centre School of Social Work, Dalhousie University The Social Ecology of Resilience: Families, Communities, and Service Providers

High Well-being Low “Disorder”High “Disorder” Low Well-being

Evolution of Resilience Theory Intrinsic quality: The “invulnerable child” and studies of children in contexts of war Protective processes Promoting self-esteem and self-efficacy, reduction of risk impact, reducing negative chain reactions, opening opportunities Ecological, temporal interpretations across cultures Biopsychosocial, neuroplasticity, epigenetics

Patterns of Positive Development RECOVERY Level of Functioning Time Chronic Stressors Expected Acute Stressor/trauma Actual

Level of Functioning Time Chronic Stressors Expected Acute Stressor/trauma Actual ‘Hidden Resilience’ HIDDEN RESILIENCE

In the context of exposure to significant adversity resilience is the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to the psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources that sustain their well being, and… their capacity individually and in groups to negotiate for these resources to be provided… in culturally meaningful ways. Resilience is…

cultural adherence relationships identity power & control social justice access to material resources cohesion Seven Tensions

Nurture is as, and maybe more, important than nature Differential impact Cumulative resilience Three ideas

In the context of adversity, A community’s resilience is its social capital, physical infrastructure, and culturally embedded patterns of interdependence that give it the potential to help individuals recover from dramatic change, sustain their adaptability, and support new growth that integrates the lessons learned during a time of crisis. Community Resilience is…

Three Types of Capital that Contribute to Resilience Physical Capital Infrastructure The built environment Social Capital A: Informal Supports Family, friends, relationships with formal helpers Social Capital B: Institutional Supports Social services, community services

1.Be multi-level, ecologically complex in their delivery 2.Be coordinated, challenging the barriers created by service silos 3.Emphasize continuity over time, in both the seamless delivery of multiple services and the engagement of staff with the individuals they serve Six Principles of Service Design

4.Be negotiated, with services matched to people's cultures and contexts 5.Be designed along a continuum from least to most intrusive 6.Be effective, whether that effectiveness is demonstrated based on practice based evidence or rigorous evaluation of manualized interventions Six Principles (cont.)

Michael Ungar, Ph.D. Killam Professor, Co-Director Resilience Research Centre School of Social Work, Dalhousie University Thank you!