Resilient Self-Talk in University Students Raised by Alcohol-Misusing Caregivers in Lesotho

ABSTRACT Research on young people raised by caregivers who misuse substances, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, has focused mainly on the negative experiences and the cumulative effects. This study offers an understanding of resilient self-talk, emphasizing internal dialogs and conversations that enabled positive outcomes in young adults raised by caregivers who misused alcohol. An individual resilience approach guided this study. In-depth interviews combined with the draw-write-and-tell methodology were held with 15 university students. The constructivist grounded theory analysis methods were used for the visual data and data collected through interviews. The research produced four themes, namely (i) goal-oriented resilient self-talk, (ii) motivational focused resilient self-talk, (iii) resilient self-talk and substance misuse abstinence, resilient self-talk, and character molding. Thus, self-talk strategies can be adapted as psychological approaches used by young adults facing adversities to improve their well being.