Protective factors are conditions that promote wellbeing, build resilience and guard against harms that may result from negative life experiences.[1]
The key protective factors that help support healthy families and keep children safe are:
- Knowledge of parenting and child development;
- Parental resilience;
- Social connections;
- Concrete supports of parents;
- Social and emotional competence of children; and
- Nurturing and attachment.[2]
Families and communities should support children to develop the skills, resources and coping strategies that act as protective factors in times of need.
Promoting and supporting protective factors is one of a number of actions that build healthy, safe, secure and resilient children and adults. Addressing lack of access to the social determinants of health and preventing and treating adverse childhood experiences are also critical elements to build strong communities where everyone has the opportunity to be happy, to be healthy and to thrive.
References
[1] Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2014). Promoting Protective Factors for In-Risk Families and Youth: A Guide for Practitioners. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/in_risk.pdf
[2] Innis, G. (2014). Protective Factors: What are they and how can they help families. Michigan State University