Parents' perceptions of family resilience in a low socio-economic environment

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into how parents from a low socio-economic environment perceive family resilience. The study aims to fill a current gap in family resilience literature using the perceptions of South African parents. It forms part of a wider research project that predominantly focuses on the determinants of family resilience. The research study followed a qualitative approach as it enabled the researcher to explore the parents’ deeper understanding of family resilience in a contextualised manner. Walsh’s Family Resilience Framework (FRF) (Walsh, 2012) was used as the theoretical framework and guided the study in exploring the three key processes that foster healing in families, namely family belief systems, organisational patterns and communication/problem solving. The sample consisted of four mothers from Mamelodi Township who were selected by the researcher, supervisor and the management team that worked with families from Mamelodi at the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Centre. Data was collected through a focus group discussion and member checking session, both of which were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data, three of which related to family resilience and one of which related to risk that reduces resilience. The three family resilience themes were collectivist culture, individual beliefs and family values. The risk-related theme accounted for the risks experienced by families that reduce resilience. Further research could explore the ways in which culture and diversity inform South African family resilience, and the implications these may have for policy development and implementation.