Conceptualizing Resiliency: An Interactional Perspective for Community and Youth Development

Abstract

In Europe and in America there is a growing recognition of the need for theory, research, and applied programs that contribute to both community and youth resiliency. This article seeks to build on previous theory and literature to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the mechanisms for linking community and youth resiliency. Included is a review of youth development literature focusing on social networks, social support and the merging of these with community literature emphasizing adaptive capacities and resiliency. The literature and conceptual framework increases our understanding of the interrelationship between youth and community resiliency. From this, future research and applied program and policy that simultaneously shape youth and community adaptive capacities can emerge.