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What are the Protective Factors?
The Protective Factors is a set of characteristics that can be present at both a family and community level. When these factors are present, they help reduce the risk of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) like child abuse and neglect, and can improve the overall well-being of children and families. Specifically, there are five protective factors:
Parental Resilience, or the ability of parents to deal effectively with stress, adversity, or trauma.
Social Connections, such as relationships with family, friends, neighbors, or other community members.
Concrete Support in Times of Need, which give family the support and resources they need during times of struggle and stress.
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, because children don’t come with instruction manuals!
Social and Emotional Competence of Children, also known as social and emotional learning, which helps children properly label and understand different emotions in themselves and others.
At Prevent Child Abuse America, we often say that “we all play a role in child abuse and neglect prevention.” By working to promote one or more of these protective factors in your own family or community, you can play a role in prevention!