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Strength-Based Parenting Helps Children Cope With Stress

*Photo credit: The University of Melbourne

Last month, Professor Lea Waters from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education published a groundbreaking study outlining how strength-based parenting can help children cope more effectively and positively with stress.

Children can experience three types of stress: toxic, tolerable and positive. Although toxic stress has negative effects on child wellbeing, not all stress is bad or damaging. Positive stress teaches children to draw on their personal strengths to cope with the demands that lead to stress. When parents adopt a strength-based parenting approach, they are building up their children’s resources, fostering a better balance between the demands placed on the child and the strengths the child possesses to meet those demands.

“Strength-based parenting is an approach where parents deliberately identify and cultivate positive states, processes and qualities in their children.” -Professor Lea Waters

Waters’ study shows that children are more likely to use their strengths to effectively cope with minor stress in their life if they have parents who adopt a strength-based parenting approach. This method can also reduce the amount of stress the child feels in the first place, and limits their tendencies of avoidance or aggressive coping.

There are two major ways parents can become more aware of their children’s strengths:

1. Strength surveys
The Values in Action Youth Survey can be completed by children ages 10 and up. This survey was developed by a team of psychologists, and helps children and parents understand their unique strengths profile.

2. Strength spotting
Parents can practice strength spotting by looking for these 5 signals:

When children are using their strengths, they
1) are energized and display high levels of engagement during and after using the strength
2) can become so engrossed they lose track of time
3) show very rapid learning curves in areas that are strengths
4) have a repeated pattern of successful performance in the area
5) are performing above age-appropriate levels in skill or trait

Read the entire study: The Relationship between Strength-Based Parenting with Children’s Stress Levels and Strength-Based Coping Approaches

KVC staff teach strength-based parenting, as well as authentic coping and problem-solving skills, to children and parents alike through our In-Home Family Therapy Services. These therapeutic solutions have been effective in keeping children safety in their homes and with their families.

Learn more about KVC’s In-Home Family Therapy Services.