Risk and protective factors for family resilience : resilience processes adopted by families living in economically depressed environments

Abstract

This study explores the resilience processes of low-income families in Mamelodi, South Africa, a context of profound economic adversity. Through qualitative Participatory Reflection and Action (PRA) workshops with 96 caregivers, the research identifies that family resilience is a dynamic achievement, negotiated through the interaction of variable relational processes and stable foundational strengths. Key findings reveal that positive communication, collaborative problem-solving, and supportive relationships are critical yet vulnerable protective factors that can easily become risks under pressure; conversely, religion/spirituality and shared family beliefs serve as a stable, cultural anchor providing meaning and hope. The pervasive risk of low socio-economic status consistently threatens this balance, exerting a destabilizing force on family functioning. The study concludes that resilience is an active process where families leverage their foundational beliefs to protect their relational bonds, challenging deficit narratives and highlighting the need for interventions that combine economic support with culturally congruent strengthening of family processes.