Resilience in children of parents with mental illness, alcohol or substance misuse-An integrative review.

Resilience in children of parents with mental illness or substance misuse refers to coping strategies, protective factors and absence of symptoms or risk behaviour despite being exposed to risk. We suggest a three-level approach for mapping of resilience resources in the target group: the individual level, family level and outside of the family that includes both non-professionals and professionals. The use of disengagement or avoidance strategies implies poor resilience but may be necessary in absence of support, as acts of self-preservation during chaotic periods or harmful situations.