Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Participants underwent remarkable changes
as
they gained in confidence, self-esteem and opti-
mism. Emotional control and regulation became
apparent – in particular, inhibition of disruptive
behaviour. They showed the capacity to plan
and think ahead. Relationships between group
members and with the facilitators came to be
characterized by reciprocity and commitment to
the achieving group aims.
•
Mobilizing supportive resilience systems
flowed
from the girls’ progress and development. As
they moved from being angry and antagonis-
tic towards authority figures, such as the ‘pigs’
(police), they were able to engage construc-
tively in discussions with them. Their new found
ability to tolerate multiple perspectives (theirs
and those of the police) and increased maturity
meant that when they showed their DVD to
local police, their schools and local community
projects, they were mobilizing supportive rela-
tionships that would enhance resilience within
their immediate microsystems.
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