Building Resilience throughout the life span. Paula Barrett, Pathways Health and Research Centre,University of Queensland

1. Building Resilience
throughout the life span
Paula Barrett
Pathways Health
and Research Centre
www.pathwayshrc.com.au
University of Queensland

2. Acknowledgments
• All children, families and professionals in
Australia and worldwide, who have learnt
the skills of the Friends Program and have
made positive changes in their lives.
• My family and my loving animals
• Pathways Team and research teams

3. “The very motion of
our lives is towards
happiness “
Dalai Lama

4. RESILIENCE IS THE
ABILITY TO BOUNCE
BACK IN THE FACE OF
ADVERSITY.

5. Has history shown progress
towards human happiness?
“Citizens of affluent countries have
physically healthier, longer life
spans but receive much less social
support from friendships and
extended families. Do these
citizens have psychologically
healthier lives? ”

6. What we know:
Obesity /early onset diabetes and
anxiety/depressive disorders will be more
prevalent in western countries than any
other health problem in the next 30 years.
(World Health Organisation conference, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

7. “We can not always build a
secure future but we can
build ourselves and our
children strong for the
future.”

8. Risk and Protective Factors for Human
Development
• Risk Factors:
• Protective Factors:
• Temperament Physiological
sensitivity – low thresholds • Attachment
for stress
• Cognitive style
• Neurological/brain • Family
development
• Sleep/Diet/Exercise
• Attention Biases • Evidence based
prevention programs
• Life Events traumas

9. Evidence Based Resilience
Programs
Attachment
Stable, unconditionally
loving relationships,
Learning Self - soothing,
mirror self-worth, Cognitive
Problem solving skills
Positive
Coping Behavioural Skills acceptance,
thinking skills
Positive role models safety about self,
Support networks others
and the environment
Physiological
Awareness of body clues
Relaxation techniques
Self-regulation

10. Resilience Models
Exercise, Diet, Emotional
Sleep
Social Skills
Emotional Development
Family- Communities
Neuroplasticity Citizenship
Brain/Cognitive
Development

15. • The Brain that Changes itself – Norman Doidge,
2008
• The Sweet Poison Quit Plan – David Gillespie, 2010
• Second Nature - The Inner Life of Animals –
Jonathan Balcombe, 2010
• Last Child in the Woods – Richard Louv, 2010

16. Thank you
All references on website
www.pathwayshrc.com.au
training@pathwayshrc.com.au