Residential treatment is among the most costly forms of intervention for children with
serious emotional and behavioural disorders. While some children and youth report significant improvement from residential care, a significant subgroup does not. One explanation for treatment responsiveness may be related to resilience. This study examined factors predictive of resilience in 170 children and youth who were admitted to residential treatment with complex mental health problems. Results indicated that lower internalizing and externalizing behaviour predicted behavioural resilience. Higher school participation/achievement and an absence o f witnessing abuse predicted educational resilience. Family resilience was predicted by higher family functioning, younger children within the family, and poor behaviour within the community. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening individual, educational, and family factors in fostering resilience in children and youth with extreme mental health problems
