When Family and School Are Not Safe: Resilience and Help-Seeking in Taiwanese Youth with Childhood Adversities

Childhood adversities have far-reaching implications for the physical, mental, and social development of individuals. Children's loyalty to their families often complicates direct help-seeking, particularly when parental mental illness necessitates caregiving roles. Those facing adversities are more prone to interpersonal difficulties, bullying, and academic failure. Limited community support and familial obligations exacerbate these challenges. Although schools are pivotal in identifying abuse and facilitating early intervention, there is a paucity of research on how Chinese children navigate these risks in both familial and educational settings.

This study adopts a resilience framework to explore how family and school environments shape help-seeking behaviors in Taiwanese youth. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 emerging adults who had experienced multiple childhood adversities. All participants encountered significant challenges in school and some had experienced prolonged bullying. Over 70% of participants were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, engaged in self-harm, or attempted suicide.

Thematic analysis revealed that fear and systemic failures significantly hindered help-seeking. Many participants remained silent about domestic violence for years, either unaware of its illegality or fearing repercussions. Attempts to disclose abuse were often overlooked by educators, and the support provided by schools and police was inadequate, exacerbating the participants' suffering. Over time, cumulative risks led to maladjustment, with some individuals resorting to self-harm. However, protective mechanisms such as peer support, engagement in schoolwork, and the presence of a supportive adult offered temporary relief. Notably, some participants demonstrated post-traumatic growth, characterized by increased altruism and the formation of meaningful relationships, driven by resilience and timely interventions. The findings underscore the urgent need for reforms in mental health services for children from high-risk families. Enhancing institutional support, reducing barriers to help-seeking, and providing consistent emotional support are essential to mitigating the effects of childhood adversities and promoting post-traumatic growth.