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Welcome!Important info for today’s session:

1. Slides are available on the event page: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/34450

2. Need tech support? Email us at MilFamLN@gmail.com(write this down in case you need it later)

3. Select “All Panelists & Attendees” from the drop-down when commenting in the chat pod.

Nurturing Family Resilience Through a Strengths-Based Framework

https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/34450

2This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

and the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Number 2015-48770-24368.

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3-Part Resilience Series

https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/resilienceseries

Connecting military family service providers and Cooperative Extension professionals to

research and to each other through engaging online learning opportunities

https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,and the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Number 2015-48770-24368. 4

Military Families Learning Network

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Today’s Presenter

Dr. Froma WalshCo-Director, Chicago Center for Family HealthFirestone Professor Emerita, University of Chicago

• Served in the Peace Corps in Morocco • More than 120 scholarly publications

fwalsh@uchicago.edu

www.ccfhchicago.org

RESILIENCEStrengths in Overcoming Adversity

Coping + Adaptation + Positive Growth

More than Surviving;(Re)Gain Ability to Thrive

Become Stronger, More Resourceful

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Early Resilience Research –Individual Traits in Overcoming Childhood Adversity

Cultural Ethos:“The Rugged Individual”• Invulnerable• Self-Reliant

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https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-wearing-cowboy-boots-riding-

on-horse-51130/

Resilience is Nurtured in Relational Processes:

Individuals need Supportive Bonds, Models & Mentoring to:

• Believe in their Worth and Potential

• Draw Out, Affirm Strengths, Abilities

• Inspire Hopes and Dreams ~ Future Vision

• Encourage Best Efforts

• See Setbacks as Opportunities to Learn & Grow

• Celebrate Successes

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https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-child-clouds-kid-346796/

Advances in Resilience Theory and Science: Dynamic Multi-level Systemic Processes

Eco-Systemic Influences: Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual◦ Attention to Social Context; Intersection;

Marginalization

Developmental Perspective:◦ Varied Challenges & Pathways in Resilience

Over Time◦ Multi-generational Family Life Cycle & Past

Experience◦ Resilience can be Gained at any Point over Life

Course!

Process View: We can Strengthen Resilience◦ Facilitative Beliefs & Practices; Build Skills &

Resources

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https://www.maxpixel.net/Path-Hiking-Nature-Away-Landscape-Stairs-3388273

• Common Misconception of Resilience:Not: “Just bounce back!”

• With Crisis, Change, & Persistent Stresses:Suffering, Struggle, and Setbacks

• May not be able to “go back to normal”May need to construct “new normal”

e.g. Life Before / After a disability, death, or divorce

• Resilience involves Struggling Well◦ Working through and learning from adversity◦ Revising Hopes & Dreams◦ Integrating the adverse experience –

and resilient response –into the chapters of life

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https://pixabay.com/photos/family-sunset-leisure-people-child-2324116/

Family Life Today: Diverse, Complex

• Diverse Cultures, Varied Structures, Gender Roles

• Impact of Economic & Global Upheaval, Insecurity

• Families Face Varied Life Challenges

• No single model fits all families and their situations

• Apply Research: Family Risk & Resilience◦ Shift focus from Family Deficits to◦ Family Challenges, Strengths, and Potential

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Family ResilienceFamily Functioning to Withstand & Rebound From Stressful Life

Challenges – Become Stronger and More Resourceful

Mobilize Family Processes for recovery and positive growth with:• Crisis, trauma, and loss

• Disruptive changes• E.g. Separation, divorce

• Challenges of chronic conditions• E.g. Disabilities

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Family Tree ~ Resilience-Oriented Genogram

•Who Can help? Extended kin network:

• Positive Influences, Strengths, Potential Support

• Models, Stories of Past Resilience in Facing Adversity

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https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-nature-wood-sunset-light-3822149/

Strengthening Relational Resilience: Vital Connections

To rebound and gain strengths

~~~~~~~~~~• In Intimate Bonds

• Extended Family Network• Social & Community Links

• Cultural & Spiritual Resources

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Family Resilience

Build Team Effort• Shared Beliefs & Practices• Collaboration & Mutual Support

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Family Resilience Framework• Practice Map: to inform, guide clinical & community services, prevention programs, research

• Integrates 3+ decades of research and practice experience on resilience & effective family functioning

• Identify & strengthen key family processes & multi-systemic resources for coping, adaptation, and positive growth

• Wide range of applications, intervention formats:• Family Consultation; Brief Counseling; Family Therapy• Multi-family Groups & Workshops; Community Forums

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Key Processes in Family Resilience

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BELIEF SYSTEMS

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTS COMMUNICATION PROCESSES

1. Meaning Making2. Positive Outlook – Hope3. Transcendence ~

Spirituality

4. Flexibility to Adapt5. Connectedness

Mutual Support6. Kin, Social, Economic

Resources

7. Clear Information 8. Emotional Sharing 9. Collaborative Problem

Solving / Proaction

FAMILY BELIEF SYSTEM1. Meaning - Making of Crisis & Challenges

• Contextualize Distress; Depathologize; Normalize• Gain Sense of Coherence ~ As Shared Challenge:

Comprehensible, Manageable, & Meaningful

2. Positive Outlook ~ Hope• Focus on strengths, potential

• Active Agency: Initiative, Perseverance• Master “Art of the Possible”• Accept what is beyond control;

Tolerate Uncertainty

3. Transcendence / Spirituality• Values, Purpose ~ Inspire / Aspire• Spiritual Resources - Shared beliefs & practices• Transformation: Learning, Change, Growth• Compassion Actions to benefit others

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https://www.maxpixel.net/Confidence-Respect-Cowslip-Hands-Brotherhood-Love-2173097

Re-vision / Practice Hope

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Master the Art of the Possible:

Do all you canWith what you have In the time you have In the place you arehttps://pxhere.com/en/photo/525098

Spiritual ResourcesDimension of Human Experience

• Transcendent, personal beliefs and practices• Active investment in daily life and relationships• Fosters meaning, wholeness, harmony• Deep Connection with all others, nature, universe• Can find spiritual nourishment in / outside religion:

• Humanistic Values• Contemplative Practices

(Prayer, Meditation)• Communion with Nature• Creative / Expressive Arts• Service to others; Social Action• Intimate Bonds, Kinship, Fellowship

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https://pixabay.com/photos/meditation-zen-chan-yoga-statue-3338691/

Organizational ResourcesSystemic Shock Absorbers

4. Flexibility – to change, Adapt• Provide Stability – Structure, Reliability• Leadership - Nurture, Protect, Guide• Couple: Equal Partners, Mutual Respect

5. Connectedness – Mutual Support, Collaboration • Commitment and care

6. Social, Community, Larger System Supports

• Workplace, Schools, Healthcare, Child / Elder care

• Overcome odds / Change odds to thrive

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https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-holding-hands-together-1246953/

Caution –labeling families “not resilient” if unable to overcome their plight.

• Compassion for those who suffer, struggle • Larger Systems / Services Need to:

Support Family Resilience – e.g. child & elder care Reduce Risks; Barriers

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Communication Processes7. Clear, Consistent Messages

• Information: Truth seeking / speaking

8. Share Feelings; Respect Differences

• Suffering, Struggle, Fear, Regrets• Pride, Appreciation, Joy, Humor, Fun

• Refuel Energies & Spirits

9. Collaborative Problem-Solving & Proaction

• Learn from setbacks, Celebrate Successes

• Be Proactive: Plan, Prepare, “Plan B”

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https://pixabay.com/photos/father-son-family-boy-people-2212101/

https://pixabay.com/photos/father-son-bloom-spring-child-2212109/

Strengthening Family Resilience: Practice Principles

• Conviction in the Strengths & Potential of all Families, alongside Vulnerabilities, Limitations, Losses

• Identify Family Values, Strengths, and Relational Resources

• Use Language, Framing to Normalize, Depathologize and Humanize Difficulties as Commonly Experienced

• Contextualize Distress in Adverse Situation• Decrease Stigma, Shame, Blame, or Pathologizing

• Compassion for Suffering, Struggle, Losses, Setbacks

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Family Resilience Practice Principles (cont’d)

• The Adverse Experience can yield Learning, Transformation & Positive Growth

• Shift Focus from Problems to Potential◦ Mastering the Art of the Possible; Accept what can’t be

changed; Live with Uncertainty

• Repair Wounded Relationships; Strengthen Bonds• Encourage Steps toward Future Vision:◦ Re-vision Hopes and Dreams;◦ Find New Purpose out of Adverse Experience◦ (Re)Gain Ability to Thrive and Love Fully

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Vicarious Resilience

Benefits to therapists of resilience-oriented practice – Hernandez, P., Gangsei, D., & Engstrom, D. (2007). Vicarious resilience. A new concept

in work with those who survive trauma. Family Process, 46, 229-241.

Mastering the Art of the PossibleCultivate nourishing Beliefs, Practices, and Resources to

Thrive in our Multistressed Professional and Personal Lives

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ReferencesWalsh, F. (2016). Strengthening Family Resilience (3rd ed.) Guilford Press.

Walsh, F. (2016). Applying a family resilience framework in training, practice, & research: Mastering the art of the possible. Family Process, 55, 616– 632.

Walsh, F. (2012 / 2016). Normal Family Processes: Growing Diversity & Complexity (4th ed.) Guilford Press.

Walsh, F. (2009). Human-animal bonds: I & II. The relational significance of companion animals. Family Process, 48(4) 462-499.

Walsh, F. (2003). Family resilience: A framework for clinical practice. Family Process, 42 (1), 1-18.

Other readings:

Becvar, D. S. (Ed.).(2013). Handbook of family resilience. New York: Springer.

Masten, A. & Monn, A. R. (2015). Child and family resilience: A call for integrating science, practice, and training. Family Relations, 64(1), 5-21.

MacDermid, S. M. (2010). Family risk and resilience in the context of war and terrorism. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72, 537-556.

Patterson, J. M. (2002). Integrating family resilience and family stress theory. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 64, 349-360.

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Case Story –Meet Stephanie

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8iAh8kRilY&feature=youtu.be

Stephanie's Case

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Applying a Family Resilience Framework Principles and Guidelines

Connect with the MFLN

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Find upcoming events, articles, resources, and more at https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org

Evaluation & Continuing Education

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Today’s webinar is valid for 1.5 CEs from the UT Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 1.5 Contact Hours/.1 CEU from the National Council on Family Relations to Certified Family Life Educators(CFLE), and 1.5 clock hours from The Commission for Case Manager Certification.

Evaluation/post-test: https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bwjWbuGwC4YbFfD

For questions regarding CEs, email us at:MFLNFamilyDevelopment@gmail.com

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August 20Recording Available!

August 22Recording

Available Soon!

August 2711 AM ET –

12:30 PM ET

Nurturing Resilience Through a

Strong Community

Event page: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/34453/

Resilience Series

https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/resilienceseries

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https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org

34This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

and the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Number 2015-48770-24368.

Military Families Learning Network