Data for a qualitative study undertaken to understand the resilience of adolescents living in a township stressed by petrochemical pollution and associated risks.This was followed by a phenomenological research design to achieve the purpose of data collection.Ten adolescents participated in the study. The participants had previously participated in the 2017 data generation. The primary data were analysed using inductive thematic content analysis and the secondary data were analysed using deductive thematic content analysis. The personal resources that enabled the adolescent’s resilience over time were keeping a positive mindset, looking after their bodies, looking to the future and being social.