Transcending borders: Social support and resilience, the case of separated children

Abstract:

The specific support needs of separated children are widely documented, with the additional risks and care concerns making this a particularly complex and vulnerable
group. More recently, researchers have also turned their attention to the strength and resilience evident within this group. This paper presents a summary of the findings from a small-scale qualitative study undertaken to better understand the perceived
social support networks of such young people in the Irish context. The issues of their particular needs and vulnerability along with information about their social support and resilience as key findings from the study are discussed, and tentative recommendations for practice set out. This discussion is informed and contextualized by
reference to social support and resilience theory, which is used as a lens to explore
issues for this group.

The specific support needs of separated children are widely documented, with the additional risks and care concerns making this a particularly complex and vulnerable group. More recently, researchers have also turned their attention to the strength and resilience evident within this group. This paper presents a summary of the findings from a small-scale qualitative study undertaken to better understand the perceived social support networks of such young people in the Irish context. The issues of their particular needs and vulnerability along with information about their social support and resilience as key findings from the study are discussed, and tentative recommendations for practice set out. This discussion is informed and contextualized byreference to social support and resilience theory, which is used as a lens to exploreissues for this group.

Source: Transnational Social Review, 2015. First published online 24 September 2015.

Author(s):Smyth, Shannon and Dolan
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Online
Publication Date:24 Sep 2015
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21931674.2015.1074430
Go Back