Nurture Changes Nature and Resilience is Resistance

Here is a recording of my dissertation defense to the faculty of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern I present my qualitative research on resilience from Adverse Childhood Experiences.  The Abstract of my study is found below: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, and household dysfunction.  Much has been reported about the detrimental outcomes associated with these experiences.  The associated negative outcomes of ACEs can include addiction, suicide, disability, teenage pregnancy, and early death.  However, it is well known that many people experience ACEs and do very well.  Rather than viewing negative outcomes only as symptoms of trauma and positive outcomes only as signs of resilience, it is possible to consider adaptations.  This study focused on how adults adapted to their adverse childhood experiences.  Data were collected based on semistructured interviews with nine members of the ACEs Connection Social Network, an online support group.  The data were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology.  A grounded theory then emerged from data, supporting the adaptation construct.