Page 14 - IFV Issue 9_2023

BUILDING COMPETENCE AND

RESILIENCE IN ADOLESCENTS

BY DR ILSE RUANE

ompetence is the ability of and to helping them process situations, Our children listen to our words, notice
having sufficient knowledge, the most important determinant of our stress levels and watch what we do.
Cjudgement, skill or strength their success is the presence of a loving Feeling secure and connected to parents,
to be able to perform a task safely. adult who is physically and emotionally family members, teachers, friends or the
Resilience is defined as the capacity to available to them. Teens rely on parents, surrounding community is the greatest
withstand hardship or to recover quickly teachers or carers to help them work out protection children have. It builds their
from difficulties. how to interpret events. resilience in the here and now as well as
For me, these terms also include Unfortunately, we cannot protect into the future.
the process after bouncing back from our teens from the consequences of With a support system in place for them,
adversity – which, in turn, includes their actions, but we can assist them in parents will be able to keep negative beliefs
acquiring life skills as well as new and becoming competent. The way in which to a minimum, calm fears, debunk ideas
improved strategies that we can draw we respond and the support we offer a about what’s normal and pull together as
on in the future. Also embedded in these young person can make all the difference a family. This will help a teen to bounce
terms is the idea of adapting. Without to the aftermath of an event, so the back and even grow from the challenges
adapting properly, a person cannot grow event can turn out to be life-altering or a they face. In addition, the entire family
into a capable individual. valuable life lesson for the teenager. Our will be able to use experiences, whether
So, when it comes to building approach can also make it easier for our positive or negative, as life lessons and
competence and resilience in adolescents, teenagers to bounce back. skills-building exercises.

12 • Issue 9 2023 • The Villager