Hope under the shadow of fear and uncertainty: Resilience factors among working adolescents

Working adolescents need to cope with extreme situations they face, and it is important to identify what factors influence their resilience to better support their health and well-being.  The purpose of this study was to explore resilience in working adolescents.

The directed content analysis approach based on the ecological-transactional resilience model was employed across five domains of resilience (Self, Family, Peers, School, and Community).  Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of working adolescents were conducted. Inclusion criteria were being 12-18 years of age, Persian speaker, and direct experience of being forced to work for at least one year. Hsieh & Shannon (2005) instruction was used for data analysis.

17 participants were interviewed, 59% were male, 88% immigrants and 41% had started working by age 6. Adolescents reported experience of significant adversity. A dichotomic range of resilience-related factors was identified within five domains, embedded with distinct themes. There was evidence of self-care, patience, empathy, and emotional insight within extremely difficult life circumstances. Peers and schools were identified as supporting resilience. Very few Family or Community resilience factors were identified; instead, adolescents reported hurt, alienation, and voicelessness within the family; and fear and insecurity in the community.

Working adolescents in this study revealed some dichotomic strengths and vulnerabilities. Individual, peer, and school factors were more evident than family and community factors in fostering resilience among working adolescents.