Resilience in Adolescents Adopted from Romanian Orphanages: a Multiple Case Study Analysis
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RESILIENCE IN ADOLESCENTS ADOPTED FROM ROMANIAN ORPHANAGES: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY ANALYSIS by Karen Patricia Kurytnik M.A., Simon Fraser University, 2003 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the Faculty of Education © Karen Patricia Kurytnik 2008 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2008 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Karen Patricia Kurytnik Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Title of Thesis: Resilience in Adolescents Adopted from Romanian Orphanages: A Multiple Case Study Analysis Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Margaret MacDonald Dr. Lucy LeMare, Associate Professor Senior Supervisor Dr. Paul Neufeld, Associate Professor Committee Member Dr. Roger Frie, Associate Professor Internal/External Examiner Dr. Catherine Ann Cameron, Psychology, USC External Examiner Date Defended/Approved: ii SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. 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Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Last revision: Fall 2007. 28-Aug·08 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY THINKING OF THE WORLD STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, or (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, in a research project approved in advance, or (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Last reVISIOn: Summer 2007 iii ABSTRACT This study describes resilience (and non-resilience) processes in nine adolescents adopted between 9.5 and 24 months of age from Romanian orphanages between 1990 and 1991. The study was carried out using a qualitative case study methodology incorporating data from assessments at four time periods-at 11 months post-adoption, age 4.5, age 10.5, and age 16.5. The data were analyzed using a code and sort procedure similar to the one described by Bogdan and Biklen (I992). Case studies regarding the participants' pathways to resilience (or non-resilience) were categorized according to the ecological framework (Ungar, Lee, Callaghan, & Boothroyd, 2005; Ungar & the International Resilience Project Team, 2006) that guides this study. This framework includes: Individual factors, Relationships factors, Community contexts, Cultural factors, and Physical ecology factors. Findings indicate that participants' pathways to resilience were influenced by: (1) Individual factors, including pro-social character traits (e.g., being caring, thoughtful, and sensitive to others' feelings), positive self-esteem, and a sense of 'well-roundedness' that manifested itself in a variety of interests including academic, athletic, musical, and social pursuits; (2) Relationship factors, including early positive attachments with adoptive parents, consistent caregiving by stay-at-home parents in the early childhood years, family structure whereby participants received a lot of individual attention, low levels ofparenting stress, and positive peer relationships; (3) Community factors, including services that met the families' needs, part-time employment opportunities that fostered a sense ofresponsibility and confidence in one's abilities, and positive school environments whereby individual needs were met; and (4) Cultural factors, including a sense of 'ease' with adoption history, and religious affiliation. Relationship factors seemed to be the most important influence in the participants' pathways to resilience; and physical ecology factors the least important. Individual variation was considered throughout the analyses in order to not lose sight ofthe complexity ofresilience processes. This dissertation is dedicated to the children, parents, and teachers who kindly agreed to participate in the Romanian Adoption project and contribute to our understandin s ofchild development and resilience processes. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to Dr. Lucy Le Mare, my senior supervisor, for her wonderful guidance and mentorship throughout my years of graduate studies. Without her inspiration, encouragement, wealth ofknowledge, and academic integrity, this thesis would not be possible. In addition, I appreciate the many opportunities she provided for collaboration in various projects, conference presentations, and publications. I would also like to extend my thanks to Dr. Paul Neufeld for his excellent suggestions and time spent on draft reviews. It has truly been a pleasure to work with Dr. Karyn Audet, my colleague and friend, on Phases 3 and 4 ofthe Romanian Adoption Project. Together we found enjoyment amidst the countless hours ofwork involved in the research process. I also want to thank the many other graduate students and volunteers who have dedicated their time to make this study possible. I owe my deepest gratitude to my husband Ryan, and my wonderful family and friends for their amazing encouragement and support. I specifically want to thank Samuel's Nana and Grandma who provided me the luxury ofcontinuous days ofwriting time and kept my little boy entertained. Baby Joshua, a special thank you for giving me 'kicks' ofmotivation throughout the final months ofthe writing process, and for timing your arrival perfectly©. Finally, I would like to thank all ofthe families who have participated in this research and shared their invaluable stories and experiences. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval ii Abstract iii Dedication iv Acknowledgements v Table ofContents vi List ofTables x Introduction 1 History ofResilience 2 Defining Resilience 3 An Ecological Model of Resilience 5 Individual Resilience Factors 6 Relationships Resilience Factors 6 Community Resilience Factors 6 Cultural Resilience Factors 7 Physical Ecology Resilience Factors 7 Research on Resilience l 0 A Case ofSevere Adversity 19 The Present Study 25 Case Study Method for Studying Resilience: Defining Research Topics Broadly .26 Case Study Method for Studying Resilience: Covering Contextual or Complex Multivariate Conditions .26 Case Study Method for Studying Resilience: Relying on Multiple Sources ofEvidence 27 Method 29 Participants 29 Resilient Participants at Age 16.5 32 Liam 32 Cole 32 Heather (Twin of Cole) 33 Mitch 34 Lauren 34 vii Non-resilient Participants at Age 16.5 35 Alison 35 Jenna 36 Cory 36 Micah 37 Data Sources 37 Time I 40 Demographic Information .40 Parent Interview 40 Revised Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire (R-DPDQ; Frankenburg, 1986) .41 Gesell Developmental Observation .41 Researcher Observations .42 Time 2 42 Parent Interview 42 The Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (HOME; Caldwell & Bradley, 1984) .42 Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 (CBCL; Achenbach, 1991) .43 Parenting Stress Index (PSI; Abidin, 1990) .44 Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition (SB4; Thorndike, Hagen, & Sattler, 1986) .45 Time 3 45 Parent Interview 45 Canada Quick Individual