Criminology Research Council grant ; (39/98-9)
This study explored some aspects of the lives of 71 young people judged to be "at risk". Thirty-eight of these young people were identified as demonstrating "resilient" behaviour and 33 were identified as displaying "non-resilient" behaviour. Important differences were discovered between the two groups in terms of the way they talked about events and people in their lives, what they valued, what they regretted and how they saw the future.
The study recommends a "youth development" approach when working with young people. Evaluations of overseas intervention programs have shown that a resilience orientation rather than a problem-prevention orientation is much more likely to be effective in reducing the whole range of risky behaviours, including delinquency and antisocial behaviour. It suggests that major strategies in any resilience-oriented intervention program for young people need to address:
- the development of personal agency and autonomy;
- the development of achievement, mastery and competence;
- the development of connectedness and nurturance;
- the development of a positive future orientation.
These strategies should be implemented in the home/family, the school and the local community.