Coping Beyond Childhood Adversity: Case Study on Resilience and Self-Esteem in Adolescence

Authors

Abarna S Student, Department of Psychology, Ethiraj College for Women, India.
Savitha Kamakshi Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, India.

social support, adverse childhood experiences, resilience

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play a significant role in shaping how

individuals respond to challenges in later life. This case study explores the resilience of an

adolescent who has experienced childhood trauma and abuse for 7 years. Despite these

adversities, the individual demonstrates adaptive coping and positive psychological

functioning. The study highlights the role of perceived social support from friends and family

as a critical protective factor in fostering resilience. Such support contributed to improvements

in self-esteem and enabled the individual to cope more effectively within a challenging

environment. The findings underscore the importance of social relationships in mitigating the

negative impact of ACEs and promoting resilience during adolescence.