Risks and Resilience Amongst Rural Honduran Children

Abstract

This study utilized a socioecological systems framework to examine the interplay of risk and resilience factors among children in middle childhood residing in a rural community in Honduras. In such contexts marked by structural disadvantage, a nuanced understanding of resilience is essential for mitigating the effects of adversity and fostering children’s potential. Utilizing an exploratory mixed-methods design, the research was conducted in three sequential phases. In the first phase (focus groups, N = 4), participants identified 12 context-specific childhood adversities and six associated signs of vulnerability. The second phase (risk screening, N = 175) found that children frequently encountered multiple, co-occurring risks, such as prolonged parental absence. In the third phase (survey, N = 84), resilience was assessed using the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28), revealing that among children experiencing co-occurring risks, resilience was primarily relational in nature, with social networks providing essential protective resources. Logistic regression analyses identified four key protective factors within children’s social ecologies: three at the household level (consistent adult presence in the home and the regular availability of time and resources for academic tasks) and one at the community level (perceived safety during school commutes). Although the study’s relatively small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings, the results highlight the critical role of multisystemic influences in fostering positive outcomes for children exposed to high levels of adversity.