Washington, D.C.—June 15, 2026—SOS Children’s Villages is proud to announce that its landmark research publication, A Child’s Road to Resilience: The Science Behind the Importance of Nurturing Relationships in Child and Youth Development, has been peer reviewed and validated by an external, expert, third-party reviewer, McNary Group.
Published in December 2023, the report brings together an extensive evaluation of peer-reviewed academic literature and cross-disciplinary research to make a compelling, evidence-based case for the critical role that nurturing relationships play in the healthy development, healing and long-term resilience of children and young people around the world.
What the research confirms
The peer-reviewed validation of A Child's Road to Resilience represents a significant milestone in the global conversation around child welfare, trauma-informed care and family strengthening. Among its most significant findings:
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Adverse childhood experiences have lifelong consequences. Drawing on the landmark 1998 ACEs study and subsequent global research, like The Bucharest Early Intervention Project, the report confirms that children who experience neglect, abuse or other traumatic experiences face significantly elevated risks of physical and mental health challenges well into adulthood—risks that are dramatically reduced with the right support.
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Secure attachment is the foundation of resilience. Children who develop secure attachments with consistent, loving caregivers demonstrate higher self-esteem, stronger emotional regulation and healthier relationships throughout their lives. Yet research shows that approximately 40% of children in the United States do not have a secure attachment to a caregiver.
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Trauma can be passed down—but so can healing. The report highlights compelling evidence of intergenerational trauma, showing that the patterns of attachment and care a child experiences are often mirrored in how they parent their own children decades later. Critically, however, it also affirms that with the right relationships and support, these cycles can be broken.
A call to action for policymakers, practitioners and supporters
The peer-reviewed validation of this research carries significant implications for child welfare policy, therapeutic practice and investment in family strengthening programs worldwide.
"This report is a powerful reminder that the science is clear: children need safe, loving relationships to survive and thrive," said Jill Nosach, CEO at SOS Children's Villages USA. "The peer review and validation of this research strengthens our call on policymakers, practitioners, and supporters everywhere to invest in the nurturing relationships that give every child the foundation they deserve."
SOS Children's Villages is urging governments, child welfare organizations and donors to use the findings of A Child's Road to Resilience to inform evidence-based policies and programs that prioritize family strengthening, trauma-informed care, and the protection of vulnerable children and families around the world.
The full peer review report is available here.
For more resources on understanding childhood trauma, supporting children's resilience and recovery, or evidence-based guidance for care professionals, explore our trauma resources and caregiver publications.
About SOS Children's Villages
SOS Children's Villages is the world’s largest nonprofit organization providing safe, loving family environments to children without parental care. For more than 75 years and in 130 countries, SOS Children’s Villages has been raising children with everything they need—loving families, healthy food, quality education, professional healthcare and more. SOS provides continual support as young people transition into adulthood—all while strengthening the families and communities around them, so children and young people can reach their full potential and thrive.
Contact:
Jennifer Teichman
Director of Creative Strategy and Services
SOS Children's Villages USA
jenniferteichman@sos-usa.org
(401) 338-5997
sos-usa.org