Characteristics of resilient teenagers

Teenagers may display the below characteristics if they are resilient. 

Home

  • Connected, caring parents or family members
  • Acceptance of responsibility
  • Chores
  • Care of siblings or other relatives

Education and employment

  • Feelings of connection to school
  • Limited employment (<20 hr/wk)
  • Strong participation in extracurricular, school-related activities, including sports

Activities

  • Leadership among peers
  • Religious affiliation

Drugs, sexuality

  • Pledge to abstain
  • Refusal skills
  • Consistently responsible behavior

Suicide

  • No personal history of attempted suicide
  • No family history of attempted or accomplished suicide
  • Access to a confidant
  • Successful coping skills
  • Substance free

Safety

  • Allergy management plans
  • Seat belt and helmet use
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Substance free
  • Refusal to ride in cars with potentially intoxicated driver