Resilience: The best cure for childhood trauma
Although the effects of trauma are problematic and carry a significant amount of negative results, there is hope. Children can overcome the negative effects of trauma through fostering resilience, which is the ability to successfully adapt despite challenging or threatening circumstances. Resilience can be learned from protective factors, which are conditions that help diminish trauma and strengthen well-being.
The skills that were taught through resilience and utilizing protective factors can be carried into adulthood. Resilient children are more likely to be social with other children, provided with encouragement from adults, and more likely to be able to control their emotions, such as not having sporadic temper tantrums.
Examples of protective factors that promote resilience in children are:
Promoting self-regulation through teaching and parenting
Enhancing proactive parenting, which is allowing the child to feel all the emotions then lending a hand in times of need
Developing connections and attachments between the child and other family members
Increasing school achievement and involvement, IQ, and special talents
Build positive friendships and community.
As a result of these protective factors, children are more likely to exhibit positive behavior, outlook on life, and self-esteem.
Additionally, adults are not too old to develop resilience either. Counseling treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to work for trauma patients where coping and social skills are strengthened.
Seeking counseling and other resources such as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Child Welfare Information Gateway are effective ways to learn more about fostering resilience and treatment for trauma with children.
Visit their website here: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/promoting/protectfactors/
-Chesnie Nichols, Counseling Graduate Intern