Resilience as a chance of developmental success for a child with a chronic illness

Chronic physical illness considered as a negative event, a potential stressor or a life crisis can be the risk factor for difficulties in the development of a child. Negative consequences of transactional influence of the factors associated with illness parameters, a child's personality and his or her environment occur particularly in the emotional and social development. This situation can be also the chance for stimulating a development of a child's personality and his or her growing as a person. The theoretical construct that in right way explains the positive transformation in understanding of the context of chronic illness – is a resilience. The meaning of this construct is discussed from the perspective of model proposed by E. Groetberg and assumptions of positive psychology, while its application value is showed in the light of the empirical data. The conceptualization of a developmental success refers to psychological well-being and being a mature and optimally functioning person. Chronic physical illness considered as a negative event, a potential stressor or a life crisis can be the risk factor for difficulties in the development of a child. Negative consequences of transactional influence of the factors associated with illness parameters, a child's personality and his or her environment occur particularly in the emotional and social development. This situation can be also the chance for stimulating a development of a child's personality and his or her growing as a person. The theoretical construct that in right way explains the positive transformation in understanding of the context of chronic illness – is a resilience. The meaning of this construct is discussed from the perspective of model proposed by E. Groetberg and assumptions of positive psychology, while its application value is showed in the light of the empirical data. The conceptualization of a developmental success refers to psychological well-being and being a mature and optimally functioning person. Key words: child with a chronic illness, resilience, developmental success, psychological well-being, mature and optimally functioning person