Resilience therapy : a group intervention programme to promote the psychological wellness of adolescents at risk

Abstract

This study focuses on the feasibility of inculcating resilience skills in adolescents using the forum of group therapy. Resilience equals the ability to surmount life's obstacles and continue towards self-actualisation, regardless. The study was initiated by the writer's masters thesis, which delineated the profile and characteristics of resilient adolescents. The writer believed that an intervention programme to effect resilience was overdue. Adolescents were generally afforded therapy re-actively. If intervention was to be an exercise in wellness, rather than in repair, a pro-active intervention programme targeting resilience had to be designed. This study focuses on the provision of such a programme. The intervention programme is semi-structured and spans twelve one hour sessions. The intervention programme specifically targets adolescents, given the amplified vulnerability associated with this developmental phase. Should resilience be sabotaged during this phase of life, the repercussions are thought to be lasting. Group therapy was chosen as the forum for intervention, given its suitability to adolescents. Adolescents are peer-group-minded, suggesting that therapeutic intervention by means of group work, would be ideal, if competently lead. The personal attributes impacting on the ability to surmount life's challenges are targeted as an interrelated whole by the group therapy intervention programme involving an experimental group of six adolescents, who appear to have turned their backs on self- actualisation. A control group, which receives no intervention, provides a contrasting profile. The study aims to provide educational psychologists with an intervention programme and an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of resilience, so that vulnerable youngsters might ultimately be therapeutically assisted to choose a more resilient attitude and behaviour. The results of the study suggest the feasibility of inculcating resilience skills. Four of the six group members in the experimental group show marked improvement. Of the remaining two members, one shows some amelioration of vulnerability. Furthermore, results suggest that personal choice underlies resilience, implying that resilience can be coached. Additionally, it would seem that schools can play a leading role in this coaching by facilitating intervention groups.