When we discuss resilience in youth, the focus often shifts to individual traits: grit, perseverance, determination or the ability to “bounce back” despite adversity. But resilience doesn’t develop in isolation – rather, it is shaped by the physical and social environments in which we live, learn and grow.
Structural determinants of health – the systemic factors that affect the distribution of wealth, power, resources and wellbeing – play a significant role in either fostering or hindering resilience. Indeed, structural determinants have the potential to influence the experience of adversity itself, both in terms of the likelihood and severity of exposure as well as one’s intrinsic and extrinsic capacity to overcome such challenges.
If we are to truly support youth resilience, we must move beyond individual-level interventions and address the broader institutional inequities and oppressive forces that shape their lives.
Resilience is often described as the ability to overcome or adapt to difficult experiences. However, the challenges and barriers that youth face are not evenly distributed, nor are they of equal magnitude. A young person growing up in a community with underfunded schools, unsafe housing, frequent exposure to discrimination or limited access to health care experiences adversity on a scale beyond individual control. Representing the mechanisms by which disadvantage is perpetuated or impeded, structural determinants can either amplify vulnerabilities or serve as protective factors:
Education: High-quality, well-funded schools provide not only academic opportunities, but also safe spaces for social connection and emotional support. Conversely, underfunded schools with limited resources may leave students without the tools to navigate challenges effectively.
Housing: A stable home offers a foundation for security and growth, while housing instability can contribute to chronic stress that undermines emotional wellbeing and limits access to community resources.
Discrimination: Systemic racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination chip away at self-worth and contribute to a sense of isolation, making it harder for marginalized youth to build resilience. Those who are not exposed to such chronic identity-intwined intolerance are less likely to experience toxic stress – a persistent state that can contribute to poor developmental outcomes.
Health care: Limited access to health care may thwart health promotion and primary prevention efforts. Such missed opportunities may lead to the rapid and uncontrolled progression of physical or mental illness – conditions that can quickly become debilitating or even life-limiting if left untreated. Whether mild or severe, health concerns undoubtedly interfere with one’s ability to thrive when faced with adversity.
While many youth demonstrate remarkable strength under such circumstances, it is unjust to place the burden of resilience entirely on their shoulders when the odds are blatantly stacked against them.
Resilience is not just about the absence of adversity – it’s about the presence of support. Addressing structural determinants establishes the conditions under which resilience can flourish:
- Policies like universal basic income or child tax benefits reduce poverty and alleviate the chronic stressors that undermine mental health and resilience.
- Housing-first initiatives that prioritize stable, affordable housing for families have been shown to improve physical health outcomes and emotional stability in children.
- Schools that celebrate diversity and address systemic inequities foster environments where all youth feel valued, enhancing their ability to thrive.
- Investments in community centres, mental health programs and after-school activities provide safe spaces where youth can build supportive relationships and develop strong stress management and emotional regulation skills.
It’s important to recognize that resilience emerges at the intersection of individual and structural factors. While some youth may have strong internal coping mechanisms, their resilience is bolstered or diminished by their environment. A young person with supportive relationships and access to mental health services is more likely to recover from trauma than someone navigating adversity without those supports. Similarly, community investments that create safe spaces and opportunities for youth can magnify the impact of individual strengths like self-confidence and perseverance. Programs that integrate individual, family and community interventions – such as trauma- and violence-informed schools or mentorship initiatives – are particularly effective because they address resilience at multiple levels of influence.
If we want to build a resilient generation, we need to go beyond individual-focused strategies and tackle the root causes of inequity. Policymakers, educators, health care providers and community leaders must collaborate to:
- Address Poverty and Inequality: Invest in policies that promote economic stability, affordable housing and food security.
- Strengthen Public Education: Ensure that all schools are equipped with the resources and staff needed to support students, both academically and emotionally.
- Combat Discrimination: Implement anti-discrimination policies and create inclusive environments where all youth feel valued and supported.
- Expand Access to Community Resources: Fund programs that provide youth with safe spaces, mentorship, and opportunities to build social connections.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, and it is our shared responsibility to make that possible. When there are negative circumstances beyond our collective control, such as the current wildfires in Southern California, for example, it is important that we mitigate the effects of traumatic exposure through supportive social infrastructure.
By addressing structural determinants, we can create supportive environments where resilience is not a rare exception but a common experience among all youth.
