Jefferis, Tamlynn C.Theron, Linda C.2019-03-012018-07Jefferis, T.C. & Theron, L.C. 2018, 'Explanations of resilience in women and girls : how applicable to black South African girls', Women's Studies International Forum, vol. 69, pp. 195-211.0277-539510.1016/j.wsif.2018.03.006http://hdl.handle.net/2263/68538Our aim in this article is to explore what is known about resilience in women and girls; to theorise how gender-roles are reflected in women's and girls' resilience processes; and to explore how apposite researchers' explanations of resilience are for black South African girls. We1 conducted a systematic review entailing a qualitative synthesis using relevant qualitative studies focusing on resilience in girls and women of all ages and from diverse cultural groups. Findings from studies that report predominantly on the experiences of Western women suggest that women's and girls' resilience-supporting mechanisms (agency and strength-fostering spirituality) are cultivated through constructive relational contexts that offer emotional and pragmatic support. Gender-roles of interdependence, the physical and emotional caretaking of others, and emotional expressiveness manifest in resilience-supporting mechanisms through complex person-context interactions. However, if the context- and culturally-specific nature of resilience is taken into account, explanations of resilience in black South African girls are limited, and further robust research on the subject is needed.en© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Women's Studies International Forum. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Women's Studies International Forum, vol. 69, pp. 195-211, 2018. doi : 10.1016/j.wsif.2018.03.006.Black girlsGender rolesGirlsPositive adjustmentQualitative synthesisSurvivorsChild sexual abuseGender-based violence (GBV)American womenEducational resilienceBuilding resilienceYouth resilienceRefugee womenSouth Africa (SA)Education articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingEducation articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEducation articles SDG-05SDG-05: Gender equalityEducation articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesEducation articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsPostprint Article