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Caregiver Influences on Resilience Development Among Children with Maltreatment Experience: Practitioner Perspectives

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Abstract

Although prior research indicates a link between caregiver characteristics and resilience in maltreated children, the specific ways in which caregivers influence resilience development remain unclear. This study explored practitioner perspectives about the influence of caregivers in the development of resilience among children with maltreatment experience. Individual interviews with 27 practitioners were recorded, transcribed, and analysed. Interview questions included items about practitioner perspectives related to resilience development. Data were analysed using team-based coding. The team developed a codebook, coded all transcripts, and identified salient themes. Three primary themes emerged from the data, including (a) caregiver influence, (b) intervention with caregivers (to promote resilience in maltreated children), and (c) caregiver-related barriers to child resilience. Each theme had two subthemes. Practitioners perceived caregivers to be highly influential on resilience development among maltreated children. Study outcomes can inform future intervention, prevention, and policy development aimed at fostering resilience.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Brieanne Beaujolais, Karla Shockley McCarthy, Fei Pei & Susan Yoon

  2. School of Social Work, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Xiafei Wang

  3. School of Social Work, Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    Rebecca Logue Dillard

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  1. Brieanne Beaujolais
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  2. Xiafei Wang
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  3. Karla Shockley McCarthy
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  4. Rebecca Logue Dillard
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  5. Fei Pei
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Correspondence to Brieanne Beaujolais or Rebecca Logue Dillard.

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Beaujolais, B., Wang, X., Shockley McCarthy, K. et al. Caregiver Influences on Resilience Development Among Children with Maltreatment Experience: Practitioner Perspectives. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 38, 295–308 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-020-00674-4

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