Risk and protective factors Research-based predictors of problem behaviors and positive youth outcomes— risk and protective factors

Risk and protective factors –Risk and protective factors exist in all areas of children’s lives. –The more risk factors present, the greater the chances of problem behavior. –Risk and protective factors can be present throughout development. –Risk factors are buffered by protective factors.

Risk Factors Risk factors are predictive of higher levels: adolescent substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out violence

Risk Factors –Research-based –Predictive in multiple longitudinal studies –Present in all areas of influence –Predictive of multiple problem behaviors –Present throughout development –Work similarly across racial lines –Measurable –Buffered by protective factors

Risk Factors Research has identified risk factors in four domains: Peer and Individual FamilySchoolCommunity

Delinquency Risk Factors by Domain Domain Early Onset (Ages 6–11) Late Onset (Ages 12–14) Protective Factors Warm, supportive relationship with parents and other adults Parent’s positive evaluation of child’s peers Parental monitoring Poor parent-child relationship Low socioeconomic status Harsh, lax, or inconsistent parenting Poor monitoring, supervision Antisocial parents Broken home Abusive parents Family conflict a Low socioeconomic status Antisocial parents Poor parent-child relationship Harsh, lax, or inconsistent parenting Broken home Separation from parents Abusive parents Neglect Family Intolerant attitude toward deviance High IQ Being female Positive social orientation Perceived sanction for transgressions Restlessness Difficulty concentrating a General offenses Risk taking Aggression a Being male Physical violence Antisocial attitudes, beliefs Crimes against persons Low IQ Substance abuse Being male ADHD/impulsivity Medical, physical problems Aggression Low IQ General offenses Problem (antisocial behavior) Substance abuse Exposure to TV violence Antisocial attitudes, beliefs Dishonesty a Individual

Stable, organized neighborhood Neighborhood crime, drugs Neighborhood disorganization Community Friends who engage in conventional behavior Weak social ties Antisocial, delinquent peers Gang membership Weak social ties Antisocial peers Peer group Commitment to school Recognition for involvement in conventional activities Poor attitude, performance Academic failure Poor attitude, performance School Adapted from Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. a. Males only. Delinquency Risk Factors by Domain Domain Early Onset (Ages 6–11) Late Onset (Ages 12–14) Protective Factors

Early and persistent antisocial behavior Constitutional factors Rebelliousness Friends who engage in the problem behavior Favorable attitudes toward the problem behavior Early initiation of the problem behavior Gang involvement Training of Coordinators 2-22

Risk factors: family Family Contributions –insecure parent-child attachments –family instability and stress –parental criminality –parental psychopathology

Family history of the problem behavior Family management problems Family conflict Favorable parental attitudes and involvement in the problem behavior

Risk factors: community Societal Influences –more common in neighborhoods with criminal subcultures, frequent transitions, low social support among neighbors –established correlation between media violence and antisocial behavior Cultural Factors –associated with minority status, but this is likely due to low SES

Media portrayals of violence Availability of drugs Availability of firearms Community laws and norms favorable toward drug use, firearms and crime Transitions and mobility Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization Extreme economic deprivation

Academic failure beginning in late elementary school Lack of commitment to school

Protective factors Protective factors buffer young people’s exposure to risk. Research has identified protective factors in four domains: FamilySchool Peer and Individual Community

Protective factors –Individual factors High intelligence Resilient temperament Prosocial orientation –Competencies and skills –Prosocial opportunities –Reinforcement for prosocial involvement –Bonding –Healthy beliefs and clear standards

Protective factors –Research-based –Present in all areas of influence –Measurable –Predictive of positive youth development –Present throughout development –Buffer effects of risk exposure

Treatment Generally, few effective interventions Interventions with some empirical support: –Parent-Management Training (PMT) –Cognitive problem solving skills training (PSST) –Multisystemic treatment (MST) Mixed findings regarding the effectiveness of medications- may be useful to reduce overt behaviors, must be used in combination with other interventions