Be Brave, Have Hope: A Qualitative Study to Understand Resilience in Elementary Latino Students

• In Event: 49.035 - African American and Latina/o Mental Health and Counseling

Abstract

This qualitative narrative study explores students’ Resilience as understood from an anthropological perspective. Interviews were conducted with 22 participants, including students, parents and educators. Classroom observations and children’s art were collected to expand understanding of the following research questions: (1) What are the individual characteristics of Latino students who display resilience (personality traits, behaviors and individual attributes)?; (2) What are the support networks that foster students’ development of positive adaptation when facing adversity, including community and/or family resources?; (3) How do schools promote the development of children’s resilience? Findings from this study shed light on self-perceptions of students and their identified support networks. Recommendations are provided for further research, practitioners, and policy makers at the local, state and national level.

Author

• Noemi Patricia Villegas Gallegos, California State University - Long Beach