Managing stress and functioning well when faced with challenges, adversity and trauma.
Families who can cope with the stresses of life, such as unemployment, poverty and homelessness, have resilience. Resilience often comes from inner strengths such as faith, humor, supportive relationships, problem solving and flexibility. Resilience is what allows parents to continue giving their children the nurturing care they need even when times are tough.
Be strong and flexible.
Having positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental and spiritual support.
Families need people they can call on when they need a sympathetic listener, advice or support. Conversely, research has shown families who are isolated are at higher risk for child abuse and neglect.
Have friends.
Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges.
When families do not have steady income, lack health insurance, or suffer a family crisis such as a natural disaster or the incarceration of a parent, their ability to provide food, shelter and clothing for their children may be at risk. Connecting families to help can prevent the unintended neglect that sometimes occurs.
Know how to find help.
Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
When families are aware of normal development and milestones, they know how to respond to and effectively manage a child’s behavior to prevent frustration. This prevents harsh discipline or emotional withdrawal. Parents with this knowledge are also more likely to notice when their child’s development is not typical.
Know how children grow.
Having family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships.
Social and emotional competence refers to nurturing and supporting interactions that help children handle their feelings and develop secure attachments to their caregivers. Teaching children how to communicate emotions effectively in turn nurtures their social and emotional development.
Help children handle their feelings.
Learn more about the research-based framework from the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
Protective Factors Framework
Access materials in English and Spanish to gain understanding of protective factors
Protective factors materials
