Social Resilience Theory

Several research studies discuss risk factors of SI and SA. However, few researchers have examined factors that reduce the likelihood of SI and SA among adolescents. Resilience in adolescents is often overlooked when faced with the task to target risk factors of SI and SA. Resilience theory provides the framework for considering the strengths or protective factors of an adolescent when implementing an intervention to SI and SA. Much research on SI and SA focus on factors that contribute to an increased likelihood of suicidal behavior while little research have examined factors that reduce suicidal behaviors. Resilience theory is a theoretical framework that helps a clinician understand how adolescents acclimate when exposed to multiple mental health risk factors. Within this theory protective factors exert their effects in two different ways: 1) compensatory mechanism, with protective factors having a direct effect on the risk factors or 2) interactive, with factors working together decrease or weaken the effects of risk factors (Polk, 2003). According to Polk (2003), resilience theory is classified in four patterns: dispositional pattern, rational pattern, situational pattern, and philosophical pattern. …show more content…
Adolescents who are mild tempered, self-disciplined, and have a history of good health would be described as having a dispositional pattern of resiliency. Another example would be an infant who is considered more cuddly and affectionate or individuals who exert a caring attitude towards others would be considered to be more resilient (Polk, 2003). This indicates that physical and ego-related psychosocial quality provides structure of dispositional pattern in promoting