Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice

No. 183: Resilient and non-resilient behaviour in adolescents

Sue Howard and Bruce Johnson
ISBN 0 642 24201 1 ; ISSN 0817-8542 ; CRC 38/98-99
November 2000

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Abstract

This study finds that resilience in young people may be gained through protective factors and processes that may be located within the young person (for example, learned attitudes or beliefs); in the family context (for example, caring adults); or in schools and the community. Based on 71 interviews with adolescents, the study looked at young people who were classified as being at risk of engaging in delinquent behaviour but who did not do so. The findings highlight the need for programs that provide support for families in crisis, and for greater recognition of the nurturing role schools can play through the establishment of clubs and associations on school premises.

This paper is taken from the report of research undertaken with the assistance of a grant from the Criminology Research Council.

References

• Media release: Resilience minimises risk
• Criminology Research Council
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