The primary factors within the family system that predict resiliency after childhood trauma: The therapists' view

The problem. The purpose of the study was to identify the primary factors within the family system that may be used to predict resiliency after trauma in children below the age of 18. The areas of study included the nature of the trauma, child demographics, family structure and therapist demographics.; Method. The Child Resiliency Questionnaire was given to child or family therapists whose practices include traumatized children who may or may not be diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Eighty therapists returned the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed for all variables. Chi Square tests and ANOVA were used for between group comparisons for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation coefficients were generated for all variables.; Results. The most frequent description of a resilient child reflects a white, first-born female with one sibling in a family with an annual income below {dollar}20,000. The child was either 3 or 7 years of age and did not receive therapy for one year after multiple traumatic events. The family structure was a Protestant home with both biological parents present without extended family members in the home. The biological mother was the primary attachment figure and a stay-at-home mother. The father was working outside the home. The caregivers did not adequately provide for the basic needs of the child and were abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Either one or both of the caregivers were maltreated as a child. The nature of the trauma most frequently reported was family violence with an element of emotional abuse. The trauma was often followed by a major life event.; Results from this study suggest a systemic approach to the treatment of trauma is warranted, even for those identified by therapists as resilient.