The development and relevance of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, adjustment and adaptation

The study of family resilience has gained momentum within the field of family psychology over the last two decades. This paper focuses on the development of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation, which has a long history and is substantiated by research dating back to 1946. The factors comprising the model have been empirically tested, and related measuring instruments have been developed in order to evaluate resiliency factors within the family context. Each of the Resiliency Model’s antecedent models is outlined here, while its potential relevance to the South African context is also debated.