Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict
Psychosocial and mental health supports for war-affected children frequently are limited by a deficits focus. Current research and practice indicate the value of a strengths-based approach that supports children's resilience and supports a positive environment for children and builds on existin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425115000230/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156132544118784 |
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| author | M. G. Wessells |
| author_facet | M. G. Wessells |
| author_sort | M. G. Wessells |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Psychosocial and mental health supports for war-affected children frequently are limited by a deficits focus. Current research and practice indicate the value of a strengths-based approach that supports children's resilience and supports a positive environment for children and builds on existing strengths. This paper analyzes how community-based child protection mechanisms are a cornerstone of prevention efforts, and views community-based action as a particularly valuable source for strengths-based support for war-affected children. It shows how collective planning and action on behalf of vulnerable children create high levels of community ownership and effective, sustainable supports for children. It suggests that significant work lies ahead in strengthening the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of strengths-based approaches and in transforming practice away from expert-driven approaches toward community-driven action. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:46:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a8476dc156494a2996b6f925646b1a3d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2054-4251 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:46:24Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8476dc156494a2996b6f925646b1a3d2023-03-09T12:35:35ZengCambridge University PressCambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health2054-42512016-01-01310.1017/gmh.2015.23Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflictM. G. Wessells0Columbia University, Program on Forced Migration and Health, New York, USAPsychosocial and mental health supports for war-affected children frequently are limited by a deficits focus. Current research and practice indicate the value of a strengths-based approach that supports children's resilience and supports a positive environment for children and builds on existing strengths. This paper analyzes how community-based child protection mechanisms are a cornerstone of prevention efforts, and views community-based action as a particularly valuable source for strengths-based support for war-affected children. It shows how collective planning and action on behalf of vulnerable children create high levels of community ownership and effective, sustainable supports for children. It suggests that significant work lies ahead in strengthening the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of strengths-based approaches and in transforming practice away from expert-driven approaches toward community-driven action.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425115000230/type/journal_articleCommunity actioninterventionsresiliencestrengths-based approachwar-affected children |
| spellingShingle | M. G. Wessells Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health Community action interventions resilience strengths-based approach war-affected children |
| title | Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict |
| title_full | Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict |
| title_fullStr | Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict |
| title_short | Strengths-based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict |
| title_sort | strengths based community action as a source of resilience for children affected by armed conflict |
| topic | Community action interventions resilience strengths-based approach war-affected children |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425115000230/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mgwessells strengthsbasedcommunityactionasasourceofresilienceforchildrenaffectedbyarmedconflict |