New APA Resilience Materials Complement National KidsDay

PR Newswire - July 30, 2003

WASHINGTON, Jul 30, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The American Psychological Association's (APA) Resilience for Kids & Teens campaign, launching this fall, contains some solutions to challenges raised by data released today for National KidsDay.

The data from a new national poll shows that nearly a quarter of all parents reported frequent worrisome behavior changes and sadness in their children during the past year, and fully 57 percent said they need more information on how to talk to their kids when they feel unsafe, threatened or scared.

National KidsDay, organized by KidsPeace and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, urges adults to spend more meaningful time with children.

"We know that one of the key components to building resilience is having strong relationships," said Russ Newman, PhD, JD, APA's executive director for professional practice. "For most children, that primary relationship is going to be with a parent or other adult they trust. So, the hours an adult spends with a child are an investment in developing resilience skills the child can use throughout life."

Newman spoke about the resilience campaign launch today at a National KidsDay news conference to release the data. Resilience is the ability to manage stress and bounce back from trauma.

Newman said that APA's Resilience for Kids & Teens campaign features online brochures for parents and teachers, as well as for teens, and a special issue of the weekly newsmagazine Time for Kids, which will reach 2.2 million fourth through sixth graders and 88,000 teachers. Not only will the materials be used by the public, but psychologists will be using them for community outreach throughout the nation. The materials for the public are available for free download at www.helping.apa.org.

The materials focus on developing the skills of resilience in age- appropriate language. Younger children are asked, "How Bouncy Is Your Brain?" and teens are asked whether they've "Got Bounce?"

"The message of resilience can not only help children when they feel threatened or frightened, but it can help inoculate children with the ability to manage life's emotional challenges even before they happen," Newman said.

The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. Its membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare.

SOURCE American Psychological Association

CONTACT: Helen Mitternight of the American Psychological Association,

+1-202-336-5898, hmitternight@apa.org

URL: http://www.apa.org http://www.prnewswire.com

Back