Building resilience in children and adolescents

1
Building resilience in children and adolescents

• Michael Gordon,
• Acting Clinical Director Southern Health CAMHS
• 24th August 2009

2
(No Transcript)
3
http//www.embracethefuture.org.au/resiliency/
4
Resiliency - definition

• 'Remaining competent despite exposure to
  misfortune or stressful events'
• 'A capacity which allows a person ... to prevent,
  minimize or overcome the damaging effects of
  adversity'
• 'The capacity some children have to adapt
  successfully despite exposure to severe
  stressors'
• 'The human capacity to face, overcome, and even
  be strengthened by the adversities of life'
• 'The process of, capacity for, or outcome of
  successful adaptation despite challenging or
  threatening circumstances'

http//www.embracethefuture.org.au/resiliency/
5
Resiliency

• Protects against mental health problems (e.g.
  depression, suicide, drug use)
• Promotes independence, self-esteem, competency

6
the issues...
7
Self-esteem
Thinking
Adolescent
Identity
Emotional regulation
8
Thinking

• Problem solving
• Frontal lobe/executive functioning
• Child thinking versus adult thinking
• Irrational thoughts
• Punitive self-talk/conscience
• Competencies

9
Frontal lobe
10
Role of the frontal lobe

• Planning
• Judgement
• Personality
• Problem solving
• Concentration

11
The frontal lobe and the Lions on the Savannas
12
(No Transcript)
13
Emotional regulation

• Adolescent tantrums
• Capacity to deal with disappointments
• Unconditional love vs unconditional success
• Romantic losses

14
Emotional regulation
High mood
Normal adult
Days - weeks
Depressed mood
15
Emotional regulation
High mood
Depressed adult
Days - weeks
Depressed mood
16
Emotional regulation
Normal adolescent
17
Emotional regulation
Depressed adolescent
18
(No Transcript)
19
Dealing with complex, difficult, large feelings

• Testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone
• Unable to use their parents as an emotional
  resource (dont want to be a little kid)
• Competency, expectation of being very competent
  the first time she/he has tried something
• Problems dealing with failure, disappointments,
• Limited ability for self-soothing

20
Identity

• Who am I?
• Changing body acne, growth, increase in weight,
  breasts, body shape, menstrual periods

21
Independence, parental rejection,
pseudo-maturity, identity

• Oppositional, defiant behaviour
• Staying out late
• Not telephoning
• Smoking
• Drug use
• Choosing own clothes
• Piercings

• Tattoos
• Not eating meals with family
• Demands to be treated as an adult

22
Adolescent self-image can be a little precarious.
23
appearance
24
Manifestations of self

• Superficial manifestations
• Tattoos
• Piercings
• Clothes
• Make-up

• Deep manifestations
• Belief system
• Values

25
appearance
friends
performance
Academic pursuits
Sporting ability
values
26
(No Transcript)
27
Self-esteem

• Depression
• Bullying
• External locus of control
• Identity
• Self-efficacy
• Sense of self

28
Adolescents cant see themselves
29
(No Transcript)
30
(No Transcript)
31
Parent sees a child
The adolescent sees themselves as an adult
32
Man, Im definitely not going to having
children I can barely look after myself
33
Adult
Child
34
Developmental tasks
35
Primary school children

• Increased time away from family
• New social skills
• Fantasy real world
• Comparison to peers
• Competition
• Concrete thinking
• Superego/conscience formation

36
Maslows Hierachy of Needs adolescent version

• Food
• Acne Medication
• Sex
• Make-up
• Sex

37
(No Transcript)
38
(No Transcript)
39
(No Transcript)
40
Adolescent
time
41
Adolescent
Parent
time
42
Mother Do you think I look good?Daughter Who
cares mum, no one is looking at you
43
Parental developmental tasks the mid-life
transition

• Declining physical stamina.
• Increasing insight into loss of youth.
• Acceptance of declining reproductive capacity.
• Increased responsibility at work, in the wider
  family (ageing parents).
• Disparity between life goals and actual
  achievements.
• Comparison between parents adolescence and their
  off-springs adolescence

44
the role of parents
45
Every parent has a struggle with their teen
46
Parenting needs to be a guilt free zone
47
You need to be more in control and less anxious
than your teenager
48
Dont take it personally
49
Pushing away
Competition
Contempt
Payback
Abusive
50
Safe place to bring feelings
Communication
Compliment
Feeling confused
Feeling overwhelmed
51
High care
Optimal parenting
High parental control
Adolescent autonomy
Low care
52
Parents need to model good behaviour
53
Big emotions come as waves
54
Children need to experience disappointments
55
Teenager to own their decisions
56
Ways of dealing with big emotions

• Immature/child
• Harm or punish myself
• Dwell on feelings
• Keep feelings locked up inside

• Mature/adult
• Review goals or plans
• Decide to do better in the future
• Get perspective (on the situation)
• Concentrate on positives

from The regulation of Emotions Questionnaire,
Phillips Power
57
Ways of dealing with big emotions

• Immature/child
• Bullying parents, siblings
• Arguing
• Put others down
• Throw stuff around the room

• Mature/adult
• Talk to someone
• Ask for advice
• Seek comfort from a responsible adult
• Exercise
• Telephone a friend
• Go out shopping, film, coffee

from The regulation of Emotions Questionnaire,
Phillips Power
58
Unconditional love is not unconditional success
59
Setting appropriate limits
60
Scaffolding around the frontal lobe
61
Menu

• Massage from mum
• Telling not showing
• Exercise
• Bath
• Shower
• Read a book
• Tantrum (not a good idea)

62
Netball assist
63
Tardis
64
Parenting promoting independence but also being
available
65
Parent not a friend
I love being a really cool mum
66

• Eighty percent of success is showing up.
• Woody Allen

67

• I'm astounded by people who want to 'know' the
  universe when it's hard enough to find your way
  around Chinatown.
• Woody Allen

68
Learn about your teens friends