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RESILIENCE: A marathon, not a sprint

ACSSWJane Parker, MPH, LCSW, PhD

2015@Institute for Psychosocial Health

RESILIENCE: A marathon, not a sprint

ACSSWJane Parker, MPH, LCSW, PhD

2015@Institute for Psychosocial Health

Words of Wisdom

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?” --Rabbi Hillel

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Objectives

Define and discuss resilience as a career strategy

Identify five dimensions of self care to promote resilience in school social work

Choose at least two strategies to enhance resilience and decrease stress

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Three Waves

1. The wave of “What?”

2. The wave of “How?”

3. The wave of “Who?”

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The What, How, and Who1. WHAT=Identification of resilient qualities through

observation; developmental risk & protective factors; phenomenological; at risk children

2. HOW=Process of disruption and reintegration for accessing resilience

3. WHO=Force (spirit) in all humans that pushes for growth through adversity; postmodern, multidisciplinary views Richardson, pp. 307-308

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offered by research in the field

resilience“the ability to maintain a stable equilibrium”

“the ability of a body to return to its original shape after being compressed, bent, or stretched”

“typically discussed in terms of protective factors that foster the development of positive outcomes and healthy

personality characteristics”

“the ability to adjust or adapt after severe change or misfortune”

“resilient individuals generally exhibit a stable trajectory of healthy functioning across time”

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(Bonanno, 2004, p. 20)

more definitions

“effective coping and adaptation although faced with loss, hardship, or adversity” (Tugade & Fredrickson, 2004, p. 320)

“a measure of stress-coping ability, and it describes personal qualities that allow individuals and communities to grow and even thrive in the face of adversity. As such resilience or personality hardiness can be regarded as a measure of emotional stamina.” (Connor, 2006, p. 46)

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…and yet more…

“A succinct statement of resiliency theory is that there is a force within everyone that drives them to seek self-actualization, altruism, wisdom and harmony with a spiritual source of strength.” (Richardson, 2002, pp. 319)

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conceptual agreements

psychological, social, biological, spiritual, occupational strengths

successfully master change

occurs in nature, in our cells every day

prevalent in and available to human beings

can be fostered, encouraged, taught

Why not focus on it?

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What it is NOT, NOT, NOT!

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Two sides of compassion

Compassion Fatigue—Loss of a sense of caring; soul weariness; desensitized to pain of others (Figley, 1984)

Compassion Satisfaction—Pleasure one derives from being able to do his or her work effectively (Stamm, 2005)

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Secondary traumatic stress

Cognitive and behavioral changes that occur after consistent empathic contact with negative experiences of safety, control, and justice (Newell & MacNeil, 2010)

Health workers, teachers, other helpers or caregivers may experience STS

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Two important types of trauma

Shared trauma—when the responders or other helpers have/are experiencing the same trauma as clients. Implications?

Parallel traumas—when a person is going through another life trauma simultaneously with a broader disaster. Implications?

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WHAT?Resilient Helper Qualities and Behaviors

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resilient people

stay in their profession over time

experience ups and downs w/o panic

have a full life outside of their work

attend to different dimensions of resilience

serve as a role model for others

focus on staying balanced

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“themes” of resilience

fostered through training & development

creativity, flexibility & humor

sense of faith, morality, advocacy

experience, expertise, autonomy, responsibility & confidence

support at work / strong supervisors

keep work separate from home

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other factors

physiological health

network of human beings

quality & availability of network in crisis

work & economic conditions

family structures

cultural supports

spirituality and altruism

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resilient personality traits

tenacity, problem solving

ability to tolerate pain

insight and logical thinking

independence of spirit + freedom for dependence with appropriate boundaries

self respect; ability to restore self esteem

capacity for learning

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resilient traits & practicesresilient traits & practices

maintain friendships

perspective on life

vital, evolving philosophy

make meaning from all experiences

practice forgiveness

general optimism

humor!☺

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HOW?Accessing Resilience

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pathways to resilience

suffering & healing

self-enhancement & care

empathic discernment

measured emotional expression

positive emotion & laughter

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Dimensions of resilience:Dimensions of resilience:physiological, psychological, social, occupational physiological, psychological, social, occupational

and spiritualand spiritual

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physiological resilience

general biological health

consistent strength

good immune system

foundation for functioning

general hardiness

ability to heal, reintegrate

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psychological resilience

intellectual functioning

ego functioning; internal locus of control

realistic perceptions of world

capacity to reframe, make meaning

brain flexibility to build new psychosocial structures

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social resilience

reliable networks

family, biological or chosen

friends; trusted colleagues

mentors

civic venues, contributions

inclusion and seclusion

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occupational resilience Work in fast paced,

stressful environment Rely on professional

knowledge, policies, procedures

Expects success Active in organization Values effectiveness

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spiritual resilience

transcendence; indwelling spirit

structured religious practice

private meditative practice

assists in making meaning

promotes altruism & service

encourages letting go of hurts

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WHO? Third wave: Postmodern and multidisciplinary

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THE FORCE1. Innate “push” to survive

and grow

2. People are more resilient than they realize

3. People are more resilient than we think

4. Most helpers do not fully respect their own or others’ levels of resilience

5. If you really believed your clients were resilient, how might your stress level be affected?

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The “Force”

Within all people

Oppressed or released

May vary widely

May be postponed

Manifests constantly

Released consciously

Childlike, open, playful

Moral, altruistic

Noble, wise

Life-giving

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Resilience ExercisesResilience Exercises

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Strengths Stressors

List your strengths… …and stressors

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assessment tools

ProQOL

CD-RISC

Resilience Scale for Adults

personal feedback and mood/body scores daily

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rsa buffering factors

perception of future positive outlook on future beliefs about opportunities to succeed ability to plan ahead ability to formulate clear goals

social competence perception of ability to initiate social contact perception of ability to be flexible in social situations ability to create new friendships pro-social interactional style precursors to network of social support

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Writing Your PlanWriting Your Plan

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resilience planning

Write in SMART terms require annually update quarterly practice daily cover all five dimensions review in supervision work with a resilient

mentor, coach

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User friendly and daily

Mind: What am I thinking about? Am I clear and sharp today? What am I telling myself? Who am I listening to? Score: (1-10, with 1 low or quite negative; 10 positive)

Body: How do I feel physically today? Why? What is my energy level? Does it wax and wane? Is it generally even? Why?Score:

Mood: How do I feel in general today? Is my mood steady or vascillating? What emotions tend to predominate? Which ones might be a direct result of my mind and body scores? Score:

COMMON THEMES: Look back over a week, a month, or a quarter period of time. On those days that M/B/M scores are higher, what was going on? What deliberate actions were you taking to boost your resilience?

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Sample structure

DIMENSION GOAL STATEMENT TIME LINE

Physiological

Psychological

Social

Spiritual

Occupational

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If not now….

Self-care plan specifically addressed in supervision or with accountability partner?

Physical work space? Personal space? “I really need to…” “I should…” “One day”

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WHEN?????????

Do one thing DIFFERENTLY, next week Make “detoxing” moves; healthier daily

choices in all five dimensions Make weekly appointments with yourself Practice self-compassion DAILY Participate in a group as needed

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Final Blessings

Practice positive personal living every day.

Take care of yourself. Remember how brave you

are. Your work matters! Live peacefully. Go forth and prosper!

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