A phenomenological qualitative approach to examining developmental differences in resilience among maltreated children.

Objective: Despite growing interest in resilience among maltreated children, there is a scarcity of research examining resilience through a developmental lens. Thus, it remains unclear how the characteristics of resilience vary depending on the child’s developmental stage. The primary aim of the current study was to explore developmental differences in resilience among maltreated children. Method: Using a phenomenological qualitative research design, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 27 practitioners who work with maltreated children. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Findings suggest that although there are shared themes and subthemes across developmental stages, the specific presentations of the resilience characteristics, as well as promotive and inhibitory factors associated with resilience, appear to be different and distinct across developmental stages. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for a strength-based model of care that uses a developmental lens to better address the comprehensive clinical needs of maltreated youth.