Redefining resilience in children: a story of strength and survival

Resilience is often defined by an individual’s ability to bounce back. This concept has been heavily researched and has become an important social construct in our society. Due to specific dynamics of child sexual abuse, resiliency is often difficult to measure and has vast implications for the survivors of abuse, their family, as well as the clinician working with the survivor of abuse. The label of resilience fails to take into consideration the biological impact of trauma, as well as the adaptive mechanisms inherent in human beings during times of trauma. Utilizing a case of a teenager who was sexually abused by a family member from the age of 5 through 12, this case study explores common beliefs regarding resilience, as well as a new understanding of covering one’s body, cutting, and other self-injurious behaviors as acts of resilience. Finally, this case study examines how a reconceptualization of resilience will impact the clinical interventions utilized and will greatly enhance the therapeutic experience of both the client and the clinician.DSWIncludes bibliographical referencesby Kim Stolo