Resilience Research

The National Resilience Resource Center's operating philosophy is grounded in resilience research which spans more than five decades across a wide variety of disciplines. There are key questions for each phase of NRRC systems change work. First, "Are all children, youth, and adults at promise?" If so, "What are the conditions of empowerment that research and best practice support?" Then, "What program models and approaches will create these conditions?" Finally, "What results can we realistically expect for children, youth, adults, and communities who learn to tap their natural resilience?"

Unlike most prevention planning frameworks based on problem-focused needs assessment and external strategies or solutions, the foundation for systems change tapping resilience is planners’ beliefs about healthy human functioning and supporting research evidence. Frequently, NRRC work points to the need for a new and emerging resilience research agenda to address internal as well as external protective factors, mechanisms, and processes.

Four major sources of resilience research are presented here.

Marshall, K. (2004). Resilience research and practice: National resilience resource center bridging the gap. In H. C. Waxman, Y. N. Padron and J. Gray (Eds.). Educational Resiliency: Student, Teacher, and School Perspectives. Greenwich, CN: Information Age Publishing. Order: order@infoagepub.com or 203-661-7952 (fax).

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	The Carter Center, Promoting Positive & Healthy Behaviors in Children
	U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Central CAPT, Resilience Research for Prevention Programs
	University of Minnesota, CAREI, Research and Practice
	Seminal Papers by Bonnie Benard from NRRC:, The Case for Peers (December 1990); Moving Toward a Just and Vital Culture: Multiculturalism in Our Schools (April 1991); Fostering Resiliency in Kids: Protective Factors in the Family, School and Community, (August 1991); Mentoring Programs for Urban Youth: Handle with Care (1992); Turning the Corner: From Risk to Resilience (updated 2004)

The Carter Center

The NRRC research base is best summarized in "Reculturing Systems with Resilience/Health Realization," by NRRC Executive Director, Kathy Marshall, in a 1998 publication of The Carter Center, Promoting Positive and Healthy Behaviors in Children.

The Carter Center has granted NRRC permission to post the entire publication exclusively on this NRRC site. Related, supportive articles by nationally known children’s mental health and youth development experts are included. Authors are Rosalynn Carter, William Foege, David Hamburg, Tammy Mann, David Weikart, Roger Weissberg, Martin Seligman, Peter Benson, Kathy Marshall, Tamara Halle, Marc Bornstein, and John Gates.

Entire Publication:

Carter Center, Promoting Positive and Healthy Behavior in Children

Individual Articles:

Promoting Positive and Healthy Behavior in Children, Opening Remarks, Rosalynn Carter
Reculturing Systems with Resilience/Health Realization, Kathy Marshall, M.A.
The Value of Positive Outcomes, William H. Foege, M.D.
A Developmental Strategy for Lifelong Benefit, David A. Hamburg, M.D.
Zero to Three, Tammy L. Mann, Ph.D.
The Case for Early Education, David P. Weikart, Ph.D.
Healthy Children 2010: Next Steps?, Roger Weissberg, Ph.D.
The Epidemic of Depression Among American Youth, Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.
Uniting Communities to Promote Child and Adolescent Development, Peter L. Benson, Ph.D.
Creating Indicators of Positive Development, Tamara Halle, Ph.D. and Kristin Moore, Ph.D.
Young Children and Positive Characteristics, Marc H. Bornstein, Ph.D.
Post-Script Recommended Developmental Objective for Healthy People 2010, John J. Gates, Ph.D.

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Center for the Application of Prevention Technology (CAPT)

Free copy of NRRC Resilience Research for Prevention Programs publication series!
Send a self-addressed No. 2 (9x12) envelope stamped with $2.50 to NRRC, 202 Wesbrook Hall, 77 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 554455.