The factors of resilience contributing to the academic success of adult survivors of child maltreatment

This phenomenological study was conducted to explore the factors of resilience contributing to the academic success of adult survivors of child maltreatment. This study also informs educators regarding factors in the school environment which provide support for young maltreated people.; Criterion and snowball sampling designs were utilized to select 15 participants from Southern California. Nine women and 6 men had earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree. The researcher conducted one- to two-hour interviews in a 2-month period. Preinterview and postinterview activities were conducted and used as data sources. A licensed marital and family therapist (MFT) was paid to sit in on the interviews in case any of the participants required immediate psychological assistance. The MFT was not actively involved in the interviews or study. Interviews were audio-recorded by the researcher and transcribed by a professional transcriber.; Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were incorporated in data analysis. Quantitative methodologies were employed to help examine the degree to which certain variables were perceived by the participants as being supportive toward their academic success. Qualitative methodologies were employed to help explain the processes by which the participants used the given variables to ensure their academic success despite the negative effects of the maltreatment endured.; Motivation, determination, perseverance, and ambition were perceived as key factors in contributing toward the participants' academic success. Participants were primarily self-motivated to do well in school because support for an educational foundation did not come from family members.; Category community, and in particular individuals related to school, was perceived as more important than category family in both time periods. Involvement in extracurricular and community activities was the most essential protective factor associated with the community. Category self became most important for Caucasians, but not Latinos, during the college years.; All participants utilized "immature" and "intermediate" defense mechanisms more often than "mature" defense mechanisms to combat the negative effects of the maltreatment. Ten participants were able to orchestrate and use effectively mature defense mechanisms: sublimation, hope, and or humor.; The researcher makes recommendations for educators in terms of actions which might provide assistance to maltreated children during their childhood years.