Contexts of Vulnerability and Resilience: Childhood Maltreatment, Cognitive Functioning and Close Relationships

In this chapter, the authors examine the problem of childhood maltreatment and its relationship to resilience. Specifically, they discuss two elements of resilience, those external to the child like close/romantic relationships and the care received from child welfare caseworkers, and internal ones such as neurocognitive processes. They argue that following disclosure of abuse, there is much that can be done to improve individual development. They propose several strategies that may be helpful creating a coherent sense of self that buffers the impact of maltreatment. These include strategies like cognitive reappraisal, contextualizing the maltreatment event, dealing with shame and guilt, and authoring an accurate and self-compassionate narrative.