Resilience processes among young people in alternative care in Bogotá – Colombia

Abstract

There are plenty of studies that focus on risks, problems, and challenges that young people in alternative care have to face. This study focused on strengths and resources that these youth have had that made a difference. The main objective of the research was to analyse how individual and contextual resources enabled resilience processes among young people in alternative care in Bogotá, Colombia. The specific objectives were a) Analyse how young people in alternative care have used contextual opportunities to cope with their past; b) explore how have young people living in alternative care have used individual resources to continue with their lives despite adversity. The socio-ecological theory was used to understand the different systems where young people are embedded and how those influence their reality. Also, the strength-base perspective was used to focus on the possibilities, opportunities, and skills they had, and those their context offered them. It was a qualitative research, in which semi-structured interview guide was applied to interview 7 young people between 18 - 25 years old living in alternative care. Then a thematic analysis was done to identify the core dimensions and subdimensions they mentioned as having helped them have resilience processes. Based on the findings, the most important dimensions in their context that helped them to cope with their past were the opportunities offered by the organization where they lived, like having access to basic rights, different types of support and training. Also, the relationships dimension is considered fundamental for this population, as they mentioned the bonds they have with caregivers, interdisciplinary team, godparents and siblings who supported their developmental process in a comprehensive way. The third dimension was education: they were committed to their studies, this gave them a sense of mastery and enhanced future life opportunities. On the other hand, some individual resources that helped them to continue with their lives were their personality, as traits like hope, self-confidence, grateful attitude and optimism help them to “move-on” from their past; and having expectations about their future gave them the strength to work hard in their present. In conclusion, the research showed that resilience processes among young people in alternative care are the result of the interaction of individual and contextual resources that enabled them to adapt to their new environment, have a healthy development and plan a life project. With a comprehensive support in different dimensions and levels, they were able to overcome their past and are fulfilling their dreams.