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Building a Systemic Understanding of Resilience in Boys in Street Situations in Leon, Nicaragua

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Date

2021-11-15

Authors

Hamel, Kayla Gabrielle

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Abstract

There are tens of millions of children and youth in street situations (CYSS) worldwide, the majority of whom are males who reside in low- and middle-income countries. On the street, children face risk factors that carry significant implications for long-term health and well-being, such as drug abuse, nutritional deficiencies, sexual and physical violence, exploitation, and discrimination leading to exclusion from health and education systems. Despite the inarguable hardship faced by CYSS, however, many of these children demonstrate impressive adaptability and resilience. The focus of the current research was on the phenomenon of resilience in male CYSS in Len, Nicaragua, a low-income country with nearly 30% of the population living in poverty. Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups with CYSS, their family members, community members, and staff of a local non-profit supporting CYSS, with the objective of exploring and consolidating local understandings of resilience, as well identifying the day-to-day difficulties and needs of CYSS. A grounded theory analysis of qualitative data yielded a context specific conceptual model of resilience as it pertains to CYSS in Len. Supplemental quantitative data provide further insight into strengths and needs of CYSS in this context and carry implications for research and measurement of resilience in diverse populations. The knowledge generated from this research can serve as a foundation to develop and implement strengths-based resilience-promoting interventions for CYSS and encourages a shift in the discourse surrounding this exceptional group of young people from that of deficiency and vulnerability, to one of adaptability and resilience.

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Developmental psychology

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