This chapter presents a developmental-contextual systems model of adaptation across the life course. The model aims to integrate findings of previous research regarding factors and processes implicated in positive adjustment of individuals facing socio-economic deprivation into a guiding framework for research. The basic proposition underlying the approach is that human development takes place in a socio-historical context. It is argued that for a better understanding of the processes leading to positive adaptation despite the experience of adversity it is necessary to identify the interplay between individual and environment over time. Existing theoretical propositions for the study of resilience will be reviewed and integrated into a developmental-contextual systems model for the empirical study of adaptations in context and time.

The adopted person-process-context-time perspective is informed by assumptions formulated within the ecological theory of human development with its emphasis on multiple interacting spheres of influence (Bronfenbrenner, 1989; Bronfenbrenner, 1995; Bronfenbrenner & Ceci, 1994), as well as life-course theory with its focus on the temporal dimension and developmental effects of social change and transitions (Elder, 1998).