Citation

Go M, Chu CM, Barlas J, Chng GS. Child Abuse Negl. 2017; 67: 22-31.

Affiliation

Centre for Research on Rehabilitation and Protection, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.01.028

PMID

28242364

Abstract

Despite multi-type maltreatment, some individuals demonstrate positive adaptation and continue to develop in a healthy way. A multitude of strength factors have been linked to adaptive functioning and resilience, but this has not been adequately examined in maltreated adolescent's psychosocial functioning. This study sought to examine the role of strengths such as having talents/interests, family relationships, educational support, the role of the recognition and application of these strengths, and the role of multi-type maltreatment on anger control and conduct problems. One hundred and thirty participants (61 males; 69 females) aged 13-19 years old were rated using the Singapore version of Child and Adolescent Need and Strengths (CANS) tool. The results revealed that certain strengths were associated with anger and conduct problems, but the recognition and application of strengths emerged as a consistently significant predictor for both outcomes. Hence, to understand and apply one's strengths may be equally as important as merely possessing those strengths. This study extends current understanding of the importance of strengths with a group of maltreated adolescents in an Asian context. Adopting a person-centered and strengthbased approach will further enhance the effectiveness of interventions and improve outcomes for maltreated adolescents living in residential care.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Anger; Conduct problems; Maltreatment; Protective factors; Strengths