Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Resilience and Deviant Behavior Among Institutionalized Adolescents: The Relationship with Significant Adults

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The transition to institutional care often implies the separation from a dysfunctional environment, marked by neglect, abandonment and lack of emotional responsiveness, which makes youth more vulnerable to the development of deviant behavior. The quality of the relationship established with significant figures within the institution as well as with teachers is suggested as a protective factor for the development of resilience and the detachment from deviant behaviour. The present study aims to test the predictive effect of the quality of relationship to institutional caregivers and teachers on the development of resilience and deviant behaviour in institutionalized adolescents. We also intend to test the mediating effect of resilience in the previous association. The sample was composed by 202 institutionalized adolescents, 12–18 aged (M = 14.96, SD = 1.80), and from both genders. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. The results demonstrated that the quality of relationship with significant figures was positively associated with resilience and may play an important role in preventing deviant behaviour. There was also a total mediation effect of resilience on the association between quality of relationship with significant figures and development of deviant behaviour. The results suggest that the affective reorganization of institutionalized adolescents can be promoted by the establishment of safe havens, which reflect feelings of belonging and acceptance, facilitating a more adaptive experience.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ali, N. S. A., Silveira, R. S. M., & Lunardelli, M. C. F. (2004). Report of internship experience with monitors who work in a entity that holds childs in risk. In E. Goulard Jr., L. C. Câneo, & M. C. F. Lunardelli (Eds.), Campo de estágio: Espaço de aprendizagem e diversidade (pp. 170–179). Bauru, SP: Joarte.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bazon, M., & Biasoli-Alves, Z. (2000). The transformation of monitors in teachers: A development issue. Psicologia: Reflexão & Crítica, 13, 199–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1951). Maternal care and mental health. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment. London: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1979). The making and breaking of affectional bonds. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A., Houghton, S., Hattie, J., & Durkin, K. (1999). Adolescent reputation enhancement: Differentiating delinquent, nondelinquent, and at risk youth. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40(4), 593–606. doi:10.1017/S0021963099003807.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho, M. C. B. (1993). Working with shelters. São Paulo: CBIA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cordovil, C., Crujo, M., Vilariça, P., & Caldeira, P. S. (2011). Resilience in institutionalized child and adolescents. Acta Médica Portuguesa, 24, 413–418.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalbem, J. X., & Dell’Aglio, D. (2008). Attachment in institutionalized adolescents: Resilience processes in development of new affective bonds. Psico, 39, 33–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damásio, B. F., Borsa, J. C., & Silva, J. P. (2011). 14- Item Resilience Scale (RS- 14): Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 19(3), 131–145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dell’Aglio, D. D., & Siqueira, A. C. (2010). Life satisfaction preditors in vulnerability young situations in south of Brasil. Psicologia, Cultura y Sociedade, 9(1), 199–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., & Kavanagh, K. (2003). Intervening in adolescent problem behavior: A family-centered approach. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drapeau, S., Saint-Jacques, M. C., Lépine, R., Bégin, G., & Bernard, M. (2007). Processes that contribute to resilience among youth in foster care. Journal of Adolescence, 30(6), 977–999. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.01.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emler, N., & Reicher, S. (1995). Adolescence and delinquency—The collective management of reputation. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emler, N., & Reicher, S. (2005). Delinquency: Cause or consequence of social exclusion? In D. Abrams, M. A. Hogg, & J. M. Marques (Eds.), The social psychology of inclusion and exclusion (pp. 211–241). New York: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgueiras, M. C. (2008). Adaptation and validation of resilience scale of Wagnild and Young to Portuguese culture. (Unpublished Master Thesis). Universidade Católica Portuguesa do Porto, Porto.

  • Fergus, S., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2005). Adolescent resilience: A framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review of Public Health, 26, 399–419.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gouveia-Pereira, M., & Carita, A. (2005). Perceptions of justice in school and family context and its relationship to citizenship and deviant behavior (Unpublished manuscript). Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Lisboa.

  • Hampel, P., & Petermann, F. (2005). Age and gender effects on coping in children and adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34(2), 73–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harland, P., Reijneveld, S. A., Brugman, E., Verloove-Vanhorick, S. P., & Verhulst, F. C. (2002). Family factors and life events as risk factors for behavioral and emotional problems in children. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 11, 176–184. doi:10.1007/s00787-002-0277-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins-Rodgers, Y. (2007). Adolescents adjusting to a group home environment: A residential care model of re-organizing attachment behavior and building resiliency. Children and Youth Services Review, 29, 1131–1141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, S., & Johnson, B. (2004). Resilient teachers: Resisting stress and burnout. Social Psychology of Education, 7, 399–420. doi:10.1007/s11218-004-0975-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Instituto da Segurança Social, I.P. (2010). Plan for immediate intervention: Report of characterization of children and young people at the reception in 2009 (art. 10. do Capítulo V da Lei n. 31/2003, de 22 de Agosto).

  • Johnson, R., Browne, K., & Hamilton-Giachritsis, C. (2006). Young children in institutional care at risk of harm. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 7, 1–26. doi:10.1177/1524838005283696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Junqueira, M. F. P., & Deslandes, S. F. (2003). Resilience and child maltreatment. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 19(1), 227–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, R., & Day, A. (2011). Increasing college access for youth aging out of foster care: Evaluation of a summer camp program for foster youth transitioning from high school to college. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 1173–1180. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.02.018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, R. M., Walsh, M. E., & Howard, K. A. (1998). Developmental-contextual considerations: Person-context relations as the bases for risk and resiliency in child and adolescent development. In A. S. B. M. Hersen (Ed.), Comprehensive clinical psychology (pp. 1–24). Oxford: Pergamon.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey, M. A., Browne, D. C., Thompson, R., Hawley, K. M., Graham, J. C., Weisbart, C., et al. (2008). Caregiver mental health, neighborhood, and social network influences on mental health needs among African American children. Social Work Research, 32(2), 79–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Farrington, D., & Petechuck, D. (2003). Child delinquency: Early intervention and prevention. Child delinquency (pp. 3–19). Washington, DC: OJJDP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, F. G., & Brennan, K. A. (2000). Dynamic processes underlying adult attachment organization: toward an attachment theoretical perspective on the healthy and effective self. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 283–300. doi:10.1007/s10433-005-0026-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundman, B., Strandberg, G., Eisemann, M., Gustafson, Y., & Brulin, C. (2007). Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the resilience scale. Scandinave Journal of Caring Sciences, 21(2), 229–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71, 543–562.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marcotte, G., Marcotte, D., & Bouffard, T. (2002). The influence of familial support and dysfunctional attitudes on depression and delinquency in an adolescent population. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 17(4), 363–376. doi:10.1007/BF03173591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maricondi, M. A. (1997). Speaking of shelter: Five years of experience with the project of living houses. São Paulo, SP: Fundação Estadual do Bem Estar do Menor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Massimo, A., Van Ijzendoor, M. H., Speranza, A. M., & Tambelli, R. (2000). Internal working models of attachment during late childhood and early adolescence: An exploration of stability and change. Attachment and Human Development, 2, 328–346. doi:10.1080/14616730010001587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Wright, M. O. (2010). Resilience over the lifespan: Developmental perspectives on resistance, recovery, and transformation. In J. W. Reich, A. J. Zautra, & J. S. Hall (Eds.), Handbook of adult resilience (pp. 213–237). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matos, M. G., & Spence, S. (2008). Prevention and positive health in children and adolescents. In M. G. Matos (Ed.), Comunicação, gestão de conflitos e saúde na escola (pp. 56–73). Lisboa: Edições Faculdade de Motricidade Humana.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2005). Relationship to Significant Figures Questionnaire (Unpublished Manuscript). Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto.

  • Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2008). Adolescence and institutionalization: An attachment perspective. Psicologia & Sociedade, 20, 367–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2010). Institutionalized adolescents: The role of significant figures in the prediction of assertiveness, empathy and self-control. Análise Psicológica, 2, 245–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munson, M. R., & McMillen, J. C. (2009). Natural mentoring and psychosocial outcomes among older youth transitioning from foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 31, 104–111. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2008.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pesce, R. P., Assis, S. G., Santos, N., & Oliveira, R. V. C. (2004). Risk and protection: In search of a promoter balance of resilience. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 20, 135–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poletto, M., & Koller, S. H. (2008). Ecological contexts: Promoters of resilience, risk and protective factors. Estudos de Psicologia, 25, 405–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Portzky, M., Wagnild, G., Bacquer, D., & Audenaert, K. (2010). Psychometric evaluation of the Dutch Resilience Scale RS-nl on 3265 healthy participants: a confirmation of the association between age and resilience found with the Swedish version. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 24, 86–92. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6712.2010.00841.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prada, C. G., & Williams, L. C. A. (2007). Effects of a program of educational practices to monitor a child shelter. Revista Brasileira de Terapia Comportamental e Cognitiva, 9, 63–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebellon, C. (2002). Reconsidering the broken homes - Delinquency relationship and exploring its mediating mechanisms. Criminology, 40(1), 103–136. doi:10.1111/j.1745-9125-2002.tb00951.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, P. (2011). Attachment theory and the teacher-student relationship (1st ed.). Oxon: Routdlege.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (2006). The promotion of resilience face of adversity. In A. Clarke & J. Dunn (Eds.), Families count: Effects on child and adolescent development: The Jacobs Foundation series on adolescence (pp. 26–50). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sanches, C., Gouveia-Pereira, M., & Carugati, F. (2012). Justice judgements, school failure and adolescent deviant behaviour. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 82(4), 606–621. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8279.2011.02048.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg, S., & Rutter, M. (2005). The role of acute life stresses. In M. Rutter & E. Taylor (Eds.), Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (pp. 287–298). Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandler, I. N., Ayers, T. S., Wolchik, S. A., Tein, J. Y., Kwok, O. M., Haine, R. A., …Griffin, W. A. (2003). Family bereavement program: efficacy of a theory-based preventive intervention for parentally bereaved children and adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 587–601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, T. V. (2006). Reentry into the foster care system after reunification. Children and Youth Services Review, 28, 375–1390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simsek, Z., Erol, N., Öztop, D., & Munir, K. (2007). Prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems reported by teachers among institutionally reared children and adolescents in Turkish orphanages compared with community controls. Children and Youth Services Review, 29, 883–899. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.01.004.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Siqueira, A. C., Betts, M. K., & Dell’Aglio, D. D. (2006). Network of social and emotional support for institutionalized adolescents. Interamerican Journal of Psychology, 40, 149–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siqueira, A. C., & Dell’Aglio, D. (2006). The impact of institutionalization on children and adolescents: A literature review. Psicologia & Sociedade, 18, 71–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sroufe, L. (1997). Psychopathology as an outcome of development. Development and Psychopathology, 9, 215–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamres, L. K., Janicki, D., & Helgeson, V. S. (2002). Sex differences in coping behavior: A meta-analytic review and an examination of relative coping. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6(1), 2–30. doi:10.1207/S15327957PSPR0601_1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagnild, G. M., & Young, H. M. (1993). Development and psychometric evaluation of resilience scale. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 1, 165–178.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warr, M. (2002). Companions in crime. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Warr, M. (2005). Making delinquent friends: Adult supervision and children’s affiliations. Criminology, 43(1), 77–106. doi:10.1111/j.0011-1348.2005.00003.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wentzel, K. R. (2002). Are effective teachers like good parents? Teaching styles and student adjustment in early adolescence. Child Development, 73, 287–301. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yunes, M. A. M., Miranda, A. T., & Cuello, S. E. S. (2004). An ecological look at the risks and opportunities for the development of institutionalized children and adolescents. In S. H. Koller (Ed.). Abordagem ecológica do desenvolvimento humano: Experiencia no Brasil (pp. 193–214). Editora Casa do Psicólogo.

  • Zegers, M. A. M. (2007). Attachment among institutionalized adolescents: Mental representations, therapeutic relationships and problem behavior (PhD Dissertation). Amsterdam: Vrije Unirsiteit.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zegers, M. A. M., Schuengel, C., Ijzendoorn, M. H. V., & Janssens, J. M. A. M. (2006). Attachment representations of institutionalized adolescents and their professional caregivers: predicting the development of therapeutic relationships. Journal of Orthosychiatry, 3, 325–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann, P., & Iwanski, A. (2014). Emotion regulation from early adolescence to emerging adulthood and middle adulthood: Age differences, gender differences, and emotion-specific developmental variations. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 38, 182–194. doi:10.1177/0165025413515405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This research was partially funded by FCT under the project PEst-C/PSI/UI0050/2011 and FEDER funds through the COMPETE program under the Project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022714.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Edifício do Complexo Pedagógico, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Catarina Pinheiro Mota

  2. Center for Psychology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Catarina Pinheiro Mota & Paula Mena Matos

  3. Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal

    Mónica Costa & Paula Mena Matos

Authors
  1. Catarina Pinheiro Mota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mónica Costa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paula Mena Matos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catarina Pinheiro Mota.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mota, C.P., Costa, M. & Matos, P.M. Resilience and Deviant Behavior Among Institutionalized Adolescents: The Relationship with Significant Adults. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 33, 313–325 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-015-0429-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-015-0429-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation