Emmy E. Werner (1929 – October 12, 2017)[1] was an American developmental psychologist known for her research on risk and resilience in children.
[2][3][4] The study found that many children exposed to reproductive and environmental risk factors (for instance, premature birth coupled with an unstable household and a mentally ill mother) go on to experience more problems with delinquency, mental and physical health and family stability than children exposed to fewer such risk factors.
She and her fellow researchers identified a number of protective factors in the lives of these resilient individuals that helped to balance out risk factors at critical periods in their development.
Among these factors were a strong bond with a nonparental caretaker (such as an aunt, babysitter, or teacher) and involvement in a church or community group like the YMCA.
Her book Through the Eyes of Innocents tells the stories of children caught up in World War II in their own words.