Risk and Protective Factors Flashcards
Risk Factor
- developmental or environmental factors that heighten the probability of negative outcomes
- accumulation of factors exerts an increasingly strong influence
- no single event= negative outcome
interactional processes shape behaviors/problems over time
Protective Factor
Internal and external forces that help children resist or ameliorate risk
Resiliency
when positive outcomes occur in spite of the presence of risk factors
- resilience factors: internal to a child
- protective factors: those that are external to a child
Academic Failure
- developmentally fine but just not performing well in school
- can have poor academic success but still positive development
- school is culture in itself
risk for development
something not developing in the same way as typical kids, so can influence academics
- just because a child is developmentally at risk does NOT mean they are also academically at risk
Risk factor
- any factor that impinges on a child’s development and or academic success
- any factor associated with increased likelihood of a behavior that usually has negative consequences
- cumulative risk multiple risk factors that are being experienced simultaneously
- an accumulation of negative environmental factors
protective factor
- any factor that can help promote development
- any factor that reduces the impact of a risk
- shown to decrease the likelihood of negative outcomes
- internal assets and external strengths
- the stronger the protective factors, the more likely that a child will be resilient to risk
Resiliency
patterns of positive adaptation in the context of significant risk of adversity, individuals manifest resiliency in their behaviors and life patterns
Characteristics of Resilient Kids
- able to quickly adapt
- higher functioning
- can develop a sense of coherence
- higher cognitive functioning
Ways to promote resilience
- opportunities to help others, including peers
- exposure to challenging situations
- at least one secure parent or parental substitute
- positive school experience
- sense of mastery
- extracurricular activities
- external mentoring support
General risk factors
- domestic violence
- abuse
- inconsistent, ambivalent, or neglectful parenting
- chaotic home environment
- parental loss
- divorce
- death
- community violence
- risk taking behaviors
- aggressiveness
- social isolation
- parental stress
- low education
- poor nutrition
- disadvantaged neighborhoods
General Protective Factors
- stable adult figure
- close bound with at least one adult in a caregiving role
- extended family
- low level of separation from primary caregiver in first year
- cultural, religious, family tradition and rituals
- smaller family size
- larger age gap between siblings
- hobbies, talents, outside interests
- successful school experience
- easy temperament
- self-control
- knowledge of parenting and child development
- supportive environment
- adequate safe housing
- consistent parental employment
- good schools
- access to health care
- caring adults outside family
Genetic Factors
- males tend to be more at risk than females
- poor physical health
- below average intelligence
- difficult temperament
Divorce
Risk factors: fear of abandonment, no one taking care of child, conflict between parents, child can observe poor coping in parents, anger can create an insecure environment, many losses, could have to adjust to new step parent and new siblings, going between two houses, parents could use children against each other, could have effect on child’s future relationships, loss of the ideal family life, custody issues, change in economic status new house? new school? new peers possibly
Protective Factors: parental attachement and bonding can serve as basis for self-esteem, good parental interest and involvement in child’s daily activities teaches child they are important and worthy, high clear expectations and consistent boundaries, stable positive peer relationships, secure attachments can help with coping, siblings can help, closer relationships can help child feel comfortable discussing feelings, continue relationships with extended family, same school/friends can lead to consistency, create routines to help child with predictability, parents not fighting and getting along for sake of kids
Disability
Risk Factors: can struggle with academics, conduct, intimacy, depression, self concept, attention problems, loss of self-esteem, social relationships can be difficult, pre natal choices, child have sensory issues, insecurely attached (parents do most work to form relationship), slower to reach milestones, different from others, frequent absences from school if medical problems arise, changes in routines due to therapies, mobility issues can affect autonomy and sense of self, parents can have a hard time relating to child, parent may face depression, parent may struggle with finances and work schedule
Protective factor: if child has easy temperament, good, secure attachment to caregiver, access to quality health care and therapy, child well regulated, family deals with needs, good social supports and access to support for parents, good level of parental education and SES, consistency in routine, parent is competent in caring for child
