Resilience: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

1. RESILIENCE: A marathon, not a sprint ACSSW Jane Parker, MPH, LCSW, PhD 2015@Institute for Psychosocial Health

2. Words of Wisdom “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?” --Rabbi Hillel

3. Objectives Define and discuss resilience as a career strategy Identify five dimensions of self care to promote resilience in school social work Choose at least two strategies to enhance resilience and decrease stress

4. Three Waves The wave of “What?” The wave of “How?” The wave of “Who?”

5. The What, How, and Who WHAT=Identification of resilient qualities through observation; developmental risk & protective factors; phenomenological; at risk children HOW=Process of disruption and reintegration for accessing resilience WHO=Force (spirit) in all humans that pushes for growth through adversity; postmodern, multidisciplinary views Richardson, pp. 307-308

6. offered by research in the field (Bonanno, 2004, p. 20) resilience “the ability to maintain a stable equilibrium” “the ability of a body to return to its original shape after being compressed, bent, or stretched” “typically discussed in terms of protective factors that foster the development of positive outcomes and healthy personality characteristics” “the ability to adjust or adapt after severe change or misfortune” “resilient individuals generally exhibit a stable trajectory of healthy functioning across time”

7. more definitions “effective coping and adaptation although faced with loss, hardship, or adversity” (Tugade & Fredrickson, 2004, p. 320) “a measure of stress-coping ability, and it describes personal qualities that allow individuals and communities to grow and even thrive in the face of adversity. As such resilience or personality hardiness can be regarded as a measure of emotional stamina.” (Connor, 2006, p. 46)

8. …and yet more… “A succinct statement of resiliency theory is that there is a force within everyone that drives them to seek self-actualization, altruism, wisdom and harmony with a spiritual source of strength.” (Richardson, 2002, pp. 319)

9. conceptual agreements psychological, social, biological, spiritual, occupational strengths successfully master change occurs in nature, in our cells every day prevalent in and available to human beings can be fostered, encouraged, taught Why not focus on it?

10. What it is NOT, NOT, NOT!

11. Two sides of compassion Compassion Fatigue—Loss of a sense of caring; soul weariness; desensitized to pain of others (Figley, 1984) Compassion Satisfaction—Pleasure one derives from being able to do his or her work effectively (Stamm, 2005)

12. Secondary traumatic stress Cognitive and behavioral changes that occur after consistent empathic contact with negative experiences of safety, control, and justice (Newell & MacNeil, 2010) Health workers, teachers, other helpers or caregivers may experience STS

13. Two important types of trauma Shared trauma—when the responders or other helpers have/are experiencing the same trauma as clients. Implications? Parallel traumas—when a person is going through another life trauma simultaneously with a broader disaster. Implications?

14. Resilient Helper Qualities and Behaviors What?

15. resilient people stay in their profession over time experience ups and downs w/o panic have a full life outside of their work attend to different dimensions of resilience serve as a role model for others focus on staying balanced

16. “themes” of resilience fostered through training & development creativity, flexibility & humor sense of faith, morality, advocacy experience, expertise, autonomy, responsibility & confidence support at work / strong supervisors keep work separate from home (Edward, 2004)

17. other factors • physiological health • network of human beings • quality & availability of network in crisis • work & economic conditions • family structures • cultural supports • spirituality and altruism

18. resilient personality traits tenacity, problem solving ability to tolerate pain insight and logical thinking independence of spirit + freedom for dependence with appropriate boundaries self respect; ability to restore self esteem capacity for learning

19. resilient traits & practices maintain friendships perspective on life vital, evolving philosophy make meaning from all experiences practice forgiveness general optimism humor!☺

20. Accessing Resilience How?

21. pathways to resilience suffering & healing self-enhancement & care empathic discernment measured emotional expression positive emotion & laughter (Bonanno, 2004)

22. Dimensions of resilience:physiological, psychological, social, occupational and spiritual

23. physiological resilience general biological health consistent strength good immune system foundation for functioning general hardiness ability to heal, reintegrate

24. psychological resilience • intellectual functioning • ego functioning; internal locus of control • realistic perceptions of world • capacity to reframe, make meaning • brain flexibility to build new psychosocial structures

25. social resilience • reliable networks • family, biological or chosen • friends; trusted colleagues • mentors • civic venues, contributions • inclusion and seclusion

26. occupational resilience • Work in fast paced, stressful environment • Rely on professional knowledge, policies, procedures • Expects success • Active in organization • Values effectiveness

27. spiritual resilience transcendence; indwelling spirit structured religious practice private meditative practice assists in making meaning promotes altruism & service encourages letting go of hurts

28. Third wave: Postmodern and multidisciplinary WHO?

29. THE FORCE Innate “push” to survive and grow People are more resilient than they realize People are more resilient than we think Most helpers do not fully respect their own or others’ levels of resilience If you really believed your clients were resilient, how might your stress level be affected?

30. The “Force” Within all people Oppressed or released May vary widely May be postponed Manifests constantly Released consciously Childlike, open, playful Moral, altruistic Noble, wise Life-giving

31. Resilience Exercises

32. Strengths Stressors • List your strengths… • …and stressors

33. assessment tools • ProQOL • CD-RISC • Resilience Scale for Adults • personal feedback and mood/body scores daily

34. rsa buffering factors • perception of future • positive outlook on future • beliefs about opportunities to succeed • ability to plan ahead • ability to formulate clear goals • social competence • perception of ability to initiate social contact • perception of ability to be flexible in social situations • ability to create new friendships • pro-social interactional style • precursors to network of social support (Hjemdal, Friborg, Stiles, Rosenvinge & Martinussen, 2006)

35. Writing Your Plan

36. resilience planning Write in SMART terms require annually update quarterly practice daily cover all five dimensions review in supervision work with a resilient mentor, coach

37. User friendly and daily

38. Sample structure

39. If not now…. Self-care plan specifically addressed in supervision or with accountability partner? Physical work space? Personal space? “I really need to…” “I should…” “One day”

40. WHEN????????? Do one thing DIFFERENTLY, next week Make “detoxing” moves; healthier daily choices in all five dimensions Make weekly appointments with yourself Practice self-compassion DAILY Participate in a group as needed

41. Final Blessings • Practice positive personal living every day. • Take care of yourself. • Remember how brave you are. Your work matters! • Live peacefully. • Go forth and prosper!