Resilience model

Dr. Warner presents research on resilience at CSWE conference

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Dr. Laurellé C. Warner, MSW program director and WWU professor of social work, recently presented her research titled the “Resilience Model” at the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 67th annual conference.

Warner’s presentation explored her continued research on defining resilience and creating a model for it. She described how her interest in this model has only grown since completing her dissertation, which centered around older black women’s perspectives on how they stay resilient. Now she has expanded her research to include perspectives on resilience from both old and young black women, as well as men.

Her research’s focus on defining resilience through diverse perspectives is motivated by the absence of black people’s voices in literature. “I would like to have an inclusive knowledge base on resilience and how people use that word,” explained Warner. “I want to conceptualize resilience and bring forward a new resilience model by defining what it is and describing its nature through the perspective of black women and men.”

There are two crucial components of defining resilience, according to Warner, with one being external and the other internal. “The external process happens immediately when you pick oneself up and move forward to fill roles. Internal processes are open-ended and you don’t do things rushing but rather take your time to overcome trauma or adversity,” said Warner.

The conference offers multiple tracks for researchers to submit their proposal, and Warner chose the workshop track because it allowed for dialogue between her and the audience. “I wanted more opportunities for people to ask questions, respond to information, and share their experiences in how the presentation may have value to them in the professional world,” Warner said.

The CSWE has represented social work education in the United States since being founded in 1952. Its Annual Program Meeting (APM) conference allows experienced social work researchers to communicate their work on a variety of themes. Warner’s presentation paired especially well with this year’s theme: “Leading Critical Conversations, Racial, Economic, & Environmental Justice.”

Posted on Jan. 26, 2022.

Dr. Warner presents in front of a whiteboard.
Dr. Warner is the director of the M.S.W. program.