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As teens grow and develop, various factors can promote or hinder their process. These are known as risk and protective factors. Risk factors may increase the risk of teens partaking in self-destructive behaviors and developing mental health problems. On the other hand, protective factors help build resilience and make teens less likely to develop problems during times of challenge or stress. Helping teens identify and build protective factors is essential to mental health treatment, which can help teens recover and thrive. Understand what protective factors are, how they benefit teens, and common protective factors that are essential to healthy development.
Protective Factors for Teens
Protective factors help build resilience in teens, giving them the strength to face challenges head-on. A protective factor is “a characteristic that lowers the likelihood of negative outcomes in youth mental health” and reduces the impact of negative risk factors. These can be biological, environmental, cultural, or psychological. For example, a teen may have negative biological risk factors such as genetics that increase the risk of depression. However, if the teen has a strong support system, has positive relationships with family, and partakes in stress-reducing activities, these protective factors can mitigate the negative impact of risk factors.Risk Factors vs Protective Factors
There are also risk factors that are the opposite and increase the risk of mental health problems in teens. It’s now always possible to lower the risk factors (e.g., gender or sexuality), so mental health treatment focuses on increasing the number of protective factors (e.g., social support). Some common risk and protective factors, according to Youth Gov, include:| Risk Factors | Protective Factors |
| Low self-esteem | High self-esteem |
| Childhood trauma | Secure attachment |
| Being part of the LGBTQ community | Supportive family |
| Female | Emotional regulation |
| Substance use | Strong relationships with loved ones or peers |
| Unstable home life | Academic achievement |
| Economic Insecurity | Good communication skills |
| Shyness | Access to mental health services |
| Early puberty | High intellectualism |
| Insecure attachment | Involved in extracurricular activities |
Common Protective Factors for Teen Mental Health
There are several protective factors that can aid in a teen’s mental health recovery. These can be biological, environmental, psychological, and social. These can help ensure the success of the recovery process and prevent their issues from escalating. Some protective factors are fixed, meaning they don’t change over time. These could include gender, intellectualism, temperament, or genetics. Other protective factors are considered variable and do change. These may include relationships with family, social groups, income level, or adverse child experiences. Mental health professionals usually take into account the risk factors and protective factors when providing treatment to teens. For example, is the teen involved in activities at school that benefit their mental health? How are relationships in the home? Are they involved with their community? Etc.Family Support for Teens
Having a supportive family is one of the most significant factors in developing youth. Teens who come from stability often are protected against adverse mental health problems. Family culture plays a big role in this. Teens who grow up in homes where they are valued and respected and have strong relationships with their parents where they can communicate are less likely to develop problems. Protective factors within the family unit for teens may include:- Effective communication
- Stable routines
- Spending quality time as a family
- Established levels of trust between parents and their teen
Role of School & Community
Teens exist within the context of their communities and society. Teens spend the majority of their time in school outside of the home. Relationships with peers, teachers and academic success are all protective factors that can help teens “feel a part of something bigger than themselves.” Some protective factors that exist within the school & community include:- Access to after-school activities
- Access to mental health services
- Access to faith-based resources
- Positive relationships with teachers
- Living in a community with low rates of violence or drug use
Social Environment
Teens are in the prime years of social development. They constantly interact with each other (in-person and online), explore their identities, and figure out their passions & interests. Social environment can provide several risk and protective factors to teens. They are often influenced by their peers, the media they consume, and their interactions. Some protective factors that exist within the social environment include:- Building friendships based on shared mutual interests or experiences
- Consuming media that is positive for their mental health
- Give and receive respect from peers (e.g., not being a victim of bullying)
Individual Context
Individual protective factors are often biological and psychological characteristics unique to a teen. They may not always change (e.g., gender). Sometimes, teens may have individual risk factors, but protective factors exist within the family or community. Vice versa, teens with individual protective factors may come from instability or have higher risk factors within the community. Some common protective factors that exist within the individual context include:- Positive self-image
- Naturally easy-going temperament
- Effective communication skills
- Social competence
- High levels of self-control
Professional Help in Texas
At Clearfork Academy, our compassionate, licensed therapists understand how both risk and protective factors can play a role in youth mental health. We look at all areas of a teen’s life to design a personalized treatment plan that supports their long-term success. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.Sources
Risk and Protective Factors. SAMSHA. Risk and Protective Factors for Youth. Youth Gov.
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
