Risk and Protective Factors

A protective factor is something that helps to prevent problems. A risk factor is something that helps to create problems.

Mental health problems are complex issues and are never the result of one risk factor. Someone who has several risk factors could have more resiliency towards problems than someone else who experienced less risk factors. It is important to remember that each individual person experiences stress, pain, and risk in different ways.

Common Risk Factors

Biophysical

  • Family history of mental health problems
  • Complications during pregnancy or birth
  • Personal history of Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Chronic medical condition such as cancer or diabetes, especially hypothyroidism or other brain-related illness such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s
  • Use of alcohol or drugs
  • Poor nutrition and lack of sleep

Psychological

  • Stressful life situations, such as financial problems or breaking the law
  • Traumatic life experiences, such as rape or serving in the armed forces
  • Low self-esteem, perceived incompetence, negative view of life
  • Poor academic achievement

Social

  • Being abused or neglected as a child
  • Being in an abusive relationship or friendship
  • Having few friends or few healthy relationships
  • Recent loss, either by death, divorce, or other means
  • Bullying, either as the victim or perpetrator
  • Growing up, or currently living, in poverty
  • Poor social skills, poor communication skills
  • Discrimination
  • Lack of access to support services

Spiritual

  • Perception of being irredeemable or inherently flawed beyond repair
  • Perception of insignificance
  • Conflicting thoughts or doubts surrounding deep religious beliefs

Common Protective Factors

Biophysical

  • Secure Attachment as a child
  • Healthy diet, exercise, and development

Psychological

  • Reliable support and discipline from caregivers
  • Following rules at home, school, work
  • Emotional self-regulation
  • Good coping skills and problem solving skills
  • Subjective sense of self-sufficiency
  • Optimism
  • Positive self-regard Focus on making healthy food and beverage choices from all five food groups including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy to get the nutrients you need.

Social

  • Ability to make friends and get along with others
  • Good peer relationships
  • Supportive relationship with family
  • Participation in sports team, club, community, or religious group
  • Economic/Financial Security
  • Access to support services

Spiritual

  • Future orientation
  • Achievement motivation
  • Set of moral beliefs