Resilience and Coping Intervention with Children and Adolescents in At-Risk Neighborhoods

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the Resilience and Coping Intervention for Children (RCI), a group intervention to increase coping skills and resilience in children and adolescents. RCI was delivered to children and adolescents residing in five at-risk neighborhoods in a southern U.S. city. Children’s and adolescents’ self-report of coping strategies, strengths and difficulties with behaviors and emotions, and hope indicated decreased difficulties with behavior and emotions and increased feelings of hope postintervention. Parent report of difficulties with behavior and emotions revealed a significant decrease in children but not in adolescents. Mean scores for four coping dimensions increased, but the increase was not statistically significant.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• children
• coping
• resilience
• stress
• trauma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandra F. Allen

Sandra F. Allen, PhD, MEd, is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and project director with the Terrorism and Disaster Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Her expertise and research interests include coping and resilience in children and youth.

Betty Pfefferbaum

Betty Pfefferbaum, MD, JD, is George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Pfefferbaum is Codirector of the Terrorism and Disaster Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Her expertise and research interests include child trauma and disaster mental health.

Pascal Nitiéma

Pascal Nitiéma, MD, MS, MPH, is a research biostatistician in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and the Terrorism and Disaster Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Dr. Nitiéma has a medical background. His MS degree is in epidemiology. His expertise and areas of interest include psychometrics and the impact of mass trauma on child mental health.

Rose L. Pfefferbaum

Rose L. Pfefferbaum, PhD, MPH, is a project director with the Terrorism and Disaster Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Recently retired Professor of Economics and Director of Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Phoenix Community College, Dr. Pfefferbaum has had extensive experience in community-based programs including work with affiliated volunteer disaster response groups. Her expertise and research interests include community resilience.

J. Brian Houston

J. Brian Houston, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Houston is Codirector of the Terrorism and Disaster Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Dr. Houston’s research interests and areas of expertise include the psychological and behavioral effects of media use and disaster communication.

Grady S. McCarter

Grady S. “Mack” McCarter, III, BA, MDiv, is founder and coordinator of Community Renewal International, located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and recognized nationally and internationally. His expertise is in restoring safe and caring communities through personal relationships.

Shelley Ryan Gray

Shelley Ryan Gray, RN, BN, is the Nursing Supervisor for the Parents as Teachers program in northwest Louisiana through the Office of Public Health/Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center. Her expertise and interests are in public health, adult education, and community development.