Resilience in Children Exposed to Trauma, Disaster and War: Global Perspectives from Coursera

How do children overcome hazardous experiences to succeed in life? What can be done to protect young people at risk from trauma, war, disasters, and other adversities? Learn about the importance of fostering resilience in children at risk.

During this course, participants will: learn how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on, gain insight into core concepts, research methods and lessons learned in last 50 years of resilience research, learn how research is being applied in the real world through interventions that promote resilience, and engage in discussions with others who are working with children at risk around the world

Participants are welcome to take the MOOC at no cost or to register for a Course Certificate ($49). Those who register and earn a Course Certificate from Coursera also are eligible to sign up for continuing education clock hours through the University of Minnesota.

Participants can earn 10 clock hours of continuing education credit (added cost $99) from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Go here http://z.umn.edu/1a5q to register for continuing education clock hours for completing this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Origins and Landmark Studies in the Science of Resilience in Children

The first module of this course provides an introduction to the course and to the science of resilience. Video lectures discuss the meaning of resilience and the origins of resilience science. Participants will begin to think about case examples of resilience from their own experience and plan for a resilience interview. In the forum discussions, participants will introduce themselves, discuss the meaning of resilience and its importance in their work. Participants also will nominate favorite films and books about true stories of resilience:

Week 2: Methods and Models of Research on Resilience (including case studies)

This module highlights the models and methods used in resilience science, including person-focused methods and variable-focused methods. The case study of Dr. Maddaus continues and the case of resilience in early childhood is presented.

Week 3: Effects on Children of Natural and Technological Disasters

This module focuses on what has been learned from research on children who experience disasters, including the effects on children and patterns of recovery. Participants will watch a video interview with an expert on children in disaster and additional videos on damage and recovery following the F5 Joplin tornado. Participants will also complete a survey on disaster experiences.

Week 4: Resilience in Children Exposed to War and Political Violence

This module highlights what has been learned about the effects of war, terror, and political violence on children and youth. What are the effects of these violent experiences on young people? What has been learned about resilience? We will examine the provocative literature on youth who voluntarily get involved in political conflicts or war. The concluding lecture considers new approaches to peace-building and what might be done to promote peace through interventions with children. This week also features 4 special topics on resilience in young people who experienced the trauma of war and conflict. Choose one or more of the special topics and watch these moving stories of survival. Post your thoughts in the special topics discussion forums on each of these options. If you have time, watch them all. These accounts of resilience are very compelling.

Week 5: Roles of Families, Schools, Culture, and Community in Promoting Resilience of Children

This module summarizes the findings on protective factors for resilience in children. Professor Masten presents her ideas about the adaptive systems that account for most of the capacity for resilience in children, what she has called “ordinary magic.” The roles of families, schools, and culture in resilience are discussed.

Week 6: A Resilience Framework for Action, Enduring Controversies, and New Horizons in the Study of Resilience

In video lectures this final week of the course, Professor Masten presents a general resilience framework for designing interventions and programs to promote resilience. She also discusses enduring controversies in the study of resilience and new frontiers, including the neurobiology of resilience and growing research on the role of culture in resilience. The course concludes with highlights about growing global work on resilience and final “take home” messages from the course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for professionals who want to promote resilience in young people

Provides research-based insights into resilience in children at risk, making it suitable for students or professionals in psychology, social work, education, or related fields

Taught by a renowned expert in resilience research, Ann S. Masten, Ph.D., LP, from the University of Minnesota, whose work has significantly contributed to the field

Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from the origins of resilience to practical interventions, providing a well-rounded understanding of the subject

Includes discussions, case studies, and interviews with experts, offering a diverse and engaging learning experience

Provides opportunities for continuing education credits, making it valuable for professionals seeking professional development

Reviews summary

Well-received trauma resilience course

According to students, this course on resilience in children exposed to trauma, disaster, and war is well-received. Students largely positive about the course, praising the fantastic instructor and the engaging assignments. Learners say the instructor incorporates a broad range of case studies that help them understand the nature of resilience and ways to support children in recovery and resilience-building.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Resilience in Children Exposed to Trauma, Disaster and War: Global Perspectives with these activities:

Strengthen Your Communication Skills

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Enhance your communication abilities, ensuring your messages about resilience are effectively conveyed and impactful.

Browse courses on Communication Skills

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Enroll in a communication skills workshop or course.
Read books or articles on effective communication techniques.
Practice active listening and empathy in your daily interactions.

Review Trauma-Informed Practices

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Enrich your knowledge of trauma-informed practices, fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma on resilience.

Browse courses on Trauma-Informed Care

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Read articles, books, or research papers on trauma-informed practices.
Attend a workshop or webinar on the topic.
Reflect on how you can apply these practices in your work.

Read: Fostering Resiliency in Children

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Gain valuable insights and perspectives on supporting children's resilience by reviewing this must-read text.

View Ordinary Magic on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of the book.
Start by identifying how your work aligns with the book's topics.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key points.

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Resilience in Children Exposed to Trauma, Disaster and War: Global Perspectives will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Scientist

A Research Scientist working for companies such as Pfizer, Merck, or Johnson & Johnson could use their knowledge of resilience in children to develop new and more effective treatments for mental and physical health problems. A Research Scientist working for a research NGO like Save the Children may conduct research on resilience in children who have been affected by war or natural disasters. Gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research can help a Research Scientist further this work. This course can be helpful in developing interventions that promote resilience in children.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Social Worker

Social Workers who assist children and their families may work with children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war. They can use their knowledge of resilience to help these children cope with their experiences and build resilience. This course may be useful in understanding how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Psychologist

Psychologists can use their knowledge of resilience to help children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war. They can help these children to understand and cope with their experiences, and to build resilience. This course can be useful in gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research. Participants can also learn how research is being applied in the real world through interventions that promote resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Child Life Specialist

Child Life Specialists help children to cope with the stress and trauma of hospitalization, illness, and other difficult experiences. They can use their knowledge of resilience to help children to build resilience and to cope with these experiences. This course can be helpful in gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research. Participants can also learn how research is being applied in the real world through interventions that promote resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Child Life Specialist

School Counselor

School Counselors may work with children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war. They can use their knowledge of resilience to help these children cope with their experiences and build resilience. This course can be useful in learning how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on, and gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research.

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Teacher

Teachers play a vital role in the lives of children, and they can use their knowledge of resilience to help children to cope with the challenges they face. This course can be useful in learning how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on, and gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts who work in the field of child welfare or education may use their knowledge of resilience to develop policies and programs that support children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war. This course can be useful in learning how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on, and gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research.

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Disaster Relief Worker

Disaster Relief Workers may work with children who have been affected by natural disasters. They can use their knowledge of resilience to help these children cope with their experiences and build resilience. This course may be useful in understanding how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on.

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Advocacy Officer

Advocacy Officers who work for organizations that support children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war may use their knowledge of resilience to advocate for policies and programs that support these children. This course can be useful in understanding how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on.

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Program Manager

Program Managers who work for organizations that support children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war may use their knowledge of resilience to develop and implement programs that support these children. This course can be useful in understanding how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers who work for organizations that support children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war may use their knowledge of resilience to write grant proposals that support these children. This course can be useful in understanding how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on.

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Case Manager

Case Managers who work with children who have experienced trauma, disaster, or war may use their knowledge of resilience to help these children cope with their experiences and build resilience. This course may be useful in understanding how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers who work with children and families may use their knowledge of resilience to build resilience in children and families. This course can be useful in learning how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on, and gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Youth Development Specialist

Youth Development Specialists who work with children and youth may use their knowledge of resilience to build resilience in children and youth. This course can be useful in learning how trauma can affect children and the systems they depend on, and gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Youth Development Specialist

Peacebuilder

Peacebuilders may use their knowledge of resilience to build resilience in children and youth who have been affected by war or political violence. This course can be useful in gaining insight into core concepts, research methods, and lessons learned in resilience research. Participants may also learn how research is being applied in the real world through interventions that promote resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Peacebuilder