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Protective Factors

The research has identified the following factors that are considered to be protective in nature. Interestingly, the first two are the only two factors that can be influenced by specific actions of individuals, families and communities. The remaining factors are personal characteristics or attributes that are inherent in the individual and are considered to be difficult or impossible to change, yet they too play a significant role in protecting an individual from these problems.

• Bonding with positive individuals or institutions, including:
  • Having opportunities to make a meaningful contribution
  • Having the skills to effectively contribute
  • Being recognized for their contributions
• Clear, healthy and consistent standards from family and support systems
• Gender (Given equal exposure to risk, girls are less likely to develop health and behavior problems in adolescence than are boys.)
• Having a resilient temperament (Young people who have the ability to adjust to or recover from misfortune or change are at reduced risk.)
• Having a positive social orientation (Young people who are good-natured, enjoy social interactions and elicit positive attention from others are at reduced risk.)
• Intelligence (Bright children are less likely to become delinquent or to drop out of school. However, intelligence itself does not protect against the development of alcohol and other drug problems.)