Health Foundations and Protective Factors of Healthy Self
Protective factors are attributes such as skills, strengths, or coping strategies which increase the health and well-being of children. These attributes help people deal more effectively with stress, peer-pressure, and other potentially harmful situations. Students with strong protective factors are less likely to develop mental illness or substance use disorders. The Health Commission goal is to have EVERY activity sponsored by PTA have a purpose and a protective factor. This way we are promoting Healthy Behaviors in everything we do.
What are Risk and Protective Factors?
Extensive national research, spanning over fifty years, has demonstrated a strong association between specific social conditions, personal characteristics, experiences and the involvement in unhealthy behavior. This research has identified these influences as Risk and Protective Factors. This paper provides an overview of the cross disciplinary research behind each of the factors.
Risk factors are characteristics within the individual or conditions in the family, school or community that increase the likelihood someone will engage in unhealthy behavior such as: the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, violence, suicide, or early sexual activity. The more risk factors present in a child’s life, the greater the likelihood problems will develop in adolescence.
Protective factors are characteristics within the individual or conditions in the family, school or community that help someone cope successfully with life challenges. When people can successfully negotiate their problems and deal with pre-existing risk factors, they are less likely to engage in unhealthy behavior. Protective factors are instrumental in healthy development; they build resiliency, skills and connections. The term, Protective Factor, is sometimes used interchangeably with the terms: Resiliency, Developmental AssetsTM, or positive youth development. Each of these terms refer to a strengths-based approach of working with children, youth and the community.
The more protective factors are increased and risk factors reduced the more likely unhealthy behavior and its associated problems can be prevented.
Protective & Risk Factors Chart - see attachment
Explanation of Risk & Protective Factors
SHARP Survey Results (Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey)
Resources to Use to Help with Protective Factors:
Strengthening Families Program
Prevention
There are also coalitions throughout the State of Utah that will help you implement programs and activities within your school to help reduce risk factors and increase protective factors. We encourage local PTA’s to partner with these local coalitions:
School Wellness Policy
Every school is required to have a School Wellness Policy. Utah PTA encourages parents to read their individual school’s policy and invite parental input in establishing the policies to keep our kids healthy and happy. For more information about School Wellness Policies see the following resources: