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Risk and Protective Factor Theory

 

Research has identified a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood that a youth will engage in problem behaviors such as drug use or violence.  Research has also identified protective factors that minimize the negative consequences of exposure to risk factors by either reducing the impact of the risk itself or changing the way a person responds to risk.  

By reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors, communities can promote positive youth development and prevent problem behaviors like substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and school dropout.  Download a list of protective factors, developmental assets, and risk factors here.

 

  
 

Protective Factors

Developmental Assets
 

Healthy beliefs

caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint
     
 

Clear standards

family boundaries, school boundaries, adult role models, positive peer influence, high expectations
     
 

Bonding (attachment and commitment)

family support, positive family communication, other adult relationships, caring neighborhood, parent involvement in schooling, religious community, achievement motivation, school engagement, bonding to school
     
 

Skills 

planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, resistance skills, peaceful conflict resolution
     
 

Opportunities

youth as resources, service to others, creative activities, youth programs, time at home, homework, reading for pleasure, safety
     
 

Recognition

community values youth, caring school climate
     
 

Individual Characteristics

personal power, self esteem, sense of purpose, positive view of personal future

Risk and protective factors are taken from the social development model: Hawkins and Catalano, 1996.   Developmental assets from the Search Institute: Benson, et al., 1999.  The developmental assets were divided into protective factor categories by Channing Bete, 2003.

 

 

Risk Factors

Hawkins and Catalano also identified 20 risk factors that predict 5 problem behaviors.  In order for prevention efforts to be most effective, communities must simultaneously reduce risk factors while increasing protective factors.
   
 

 

 

Risk Factors

Substance Abuse

Delinquency

Violence

Teen Pregnancy

School Dropout

Community

Availability of alcohol and other drugs

X

 

X

 

 

Availability of firearms

 

X

X

 

 

Community laws and norms favorable toward drug use, firearms, and crime

X

X

X

 

 

Media portrayals of violence

 

 

X

 

 

Transitions and mobility

X

X

 

 

X

Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization

X

X

X

 

 

Extreme economic deprivation

X

X

X

X

X

Family

Family history of the problem behavior

X

X

X

X

X

Family management problems

X

X

X

X

X

Family conflict

X

X

X

X

X

Favorable parental attitudes and involvement in the problem behavior

X

X

X

 

 

School

Academic failure beginning in late elementary school

X

X

X

X

X

Lack of commitment to school

X

X

X

X

X

  Peers / Individuals

Early and persistent antisocial behavior

X

X

X

X

X

Rebelliousness

X

X

 

 

X

Friends who engage in the problem behavior

X

X

X

X

X

Gang involvement

X

X

X

 

 

Favorable attitudes toward the problem behavior

X

X

 

X

X

Early inititation of the problem behavior

X

X

X

X

X

Constitutional factors

X

X

X

 

 
 

Risk and protective factors are taken from the social development model: Hawkins and Catalano, 1996.

 

 
 
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