Ecological Systems Theory

Introduced by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979

Ecological systems cont.Microsystem: immediate interactions between individual and environmentFace-to-face interactionsfamily, peers, neighbors, etc.Mesosystem: interrelationships among two or more settings in which the person actively participatesRelationships between systemsparents and schoolExosystem: settings in which individual is not actively involved (at present) but affects the individualIndirect settingstate economyMacrosystem: the culture in which the individual lives. Ideology or belief system inherent in social institutions (ethnic, cultural, religious influences, economic and political systems as well)Political party majorityChronosystem: The time dimension, both life course and sociocultural historyChanging gender roles, marriage and divorce patterns, shifting ideas of family over timeRisk and Protective FactorsRisk factors: influences occurring at any systemic level, that threaten positive adaptational outcomes. (Waller, p. 292)Challenging life circumstances (racism, addiction)Trauma (violence, death of parent)What are other risk factors you are familiar with?Protective factors: facilitate positive outcomes by operating as buffers between individuals and potential risk factorsWhat are protective factors you are familiar with?

Risk/Protective FactorsIndividual level:TemperamentIntelligenceSocial skillsSelf confidenceMicrosystem level:Parental competencyMarital harmonyEducational attainmentSocioeconomic statusNeighborhood safetyMesosystem level:Parental involvement in schoolQuality of schoolsWorkplace accommodationsExosystem level:Employment opportunitiesSocial and political equity of communityEducational equityLegal representationMacrosystem level:Racial/ethnic identityOppression/discriminationMedia representationReligious toleranceChronosystem level (individual and sociohistorical):Lifespan development and eventsHistorical representationImmigration history

Derived from Urie Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Theory and Margaret A. Wallers Resilience in Ecosystemic Context (2001)ResiliencePositive adaptation in the face of adversity (Waller, p. 292)Resilience research and theory traditionally focused on within-person factors (biological, psychological, emotional), personality traits or coping stylesThe right stuff to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and overcome adversity-have it or dontBlames the victimExpanding to consider environmental factors and influences, interactions.

Resilience (cont.)An individual may be resilient or vulnerable depending on time and contextResilience ------ Vulnerability continuum, rather than binary categoriesRisk chains and protective chainsPoverty, unemployment, single-parent household, stress, low education, etc.Wealth, safe neighborhood, extra curricular involvement, lower stress, high quality schools, etc.Cumulative pile-up effect of risk factorsRisk can be counterbalanced by protective influences and interventions (organic or targeted)Example: Big Brothers, Big Sisters Project)A given event can be risk and protective concurrentlyExample: divorcereduced parental time and supervision, increased positive relationships with parents (no longer in constant stress, violence)