Risk and Protective Factors |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC (2024)

Risk factors are characteristics linked with youth violence, but they are not direct causes of youth violence. A combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of youth violence. Research on youth violence has increased our understanding of factors that make some populations more vulnerable to victimization and perpetration. Many risk factors for youth violence are linked to experiencing toxic stress, or stress that is prolonged and repeated. Toxic stress can negatively change the brain development of children and youth. Toxic stress can result from issues like living in impoverished neighborhoods, experiencing food insecurity, experiencing racism, limited access to support and medical services, and living in homes with violence, mental health problems, substance abuse, and other instability.

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Risk and Protective Factors |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC (2024)

FAQs

What are risk factors and protective factors? ›

Risk factors are characteristics at the biological, psychological, family, community, or cultural level that precede and are associated with a higher likelihood of negative outcomes. Protective factors are characteristics associated with a lower likelihood of negative outcomes or that reduce a risk factor's impact.

What are 6 risk factors for violence? ›

Individual
  • History of violent victimization.
  • Attention deficits, hyperactivity, or learning disorders.
  • History of early aggressive behavior.
  • Involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
  • Low IQ.
  • Poor behavioral control.
  • Deficits in social cognitive or information-processing abilities.
  • High emotional distress.

What are three protective factors that prevent violence? ›

Protective factor examples
  • Positive attitudes, values or beliefs.
  • Conflict resolution skills.
  • Good mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health.
  • Positive self-esteem.
  • Success at school.
  • Good parenting skills.
  • Parental supervision.
  • Strong social supports.
Dec 17, 2015

What are the risk factors for ACEs? ›

Many factors contribute to ACEs, including personal traits and experiences, parents, the family environment, and the community itself. To prevent ACEs and protect children from neglect, abuse, and violence, it's essential to address each of these factors.

What are the 5 key protective factors? ›

Five Protective Factors are the foundation of the Strengthening Families Approach: parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of parenting and child development, and social and emotional competence of children.

What are 5 risk factors for mental illness? ›

Examples of risk factors include:
  • genetic predisposition.
  • homelessness and unemployment.
  • alcohol and other drug use.
  • discrimination and racial injustice.
  • family conflict or family disorganisation.
  • stressful life events.

What are 4 uncontrollable risk factors? ›

The "uncontrollable" risk factors are:
  • Age (the risk increases with age)
  • Gender (men develop CAD 10 years earlier than women)
  • Family history (genetic predisposition and common lifestyles increase risk)
  • Race (incidence is greater in some groups of African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, native American Indians,)

What is the greatest risk factor for abuse? ›

Risk Factors for Perpetration
  • Current diagnosis of mental illness.
  • Current or past abuse of drugs or alcohol.
  • Current physical health problem.
  • Past experience of disruptive behavior.
  • Past experience of traumatic events.
  • High levels of stress.
  • Poor or inadequate preparation or training for caregiving responsibilities.

What are examples of risk factors? ›

Something that increases the chance of developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors for cancer are age, a family history of certain cancers, use of tobacco products, being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals, infection with certain viruses or bacteria, and certain genetic changes.

What are positive protective factors? ›

They are characteristics or conditions that reduce or buffer the effects of risk, stress, or trauma. A protective factor is an asset of some kind. For example: A skill, personal attribute, or supportive relationship.

What are family risk factors? ›

Family Risk Factors

Families that have household members in jail or prison. Families that are isolated from and not connected to other people (extended family, friends, neighbors) Families experiencing other types of violence, including relationship violence.

What are risk factors for criminal behavior? ›

Family characteristics such as poor parenting skills, family size, home discord, child maltreatment, and antisocial parents are risk factors linked to juvenile delinquency (Derzon and Lipsey, 2000; Wasserman and Seracini, 2001).

What is toxic stress? ›

However, stress that is prolonged, severe, or chronic, can cause significant problems with health and development. (Franke, 2014). Such stress, that itself creates additional challenges for a person's functioning, is toxic stress (Harvard University Center for the Developing Child, n.d.).

What are the 10 childhood traumas? ›

Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences
  • Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
  • Emotional and physical neglect.
  • Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders.
  • Witnessing domestic violence.
  • Sudden separation from a loved one.
  • Poverty.
  • Racism and discrimination.
  • Violence in the community.

What is the CDC definition of trauma? ›

Trauma is a physical, cognitive, and emotional response caused by a traumatic event, series of events, or set of circ*mstances that is experienced as harmful or life-threatening. (2) Trauma can have lasting effects, particularly if untreated.

What is the meaning of risk factors? ›

Britannica Dictionary definition of RISK FACTOR. [count] : something that increases risk. especially : something that makes a person more likely to get a particular disease or condition.

What are protective factors give examples? ›

Individual Protective Factors
  • Abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.
  • Help-seeking behavior.
  • Friends and supportive significant others.
  • Hope for the future.
  • Having goals.
  • Pets/Connectedness to others.
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • Medical compliance and a sense of the importance of health and wellness.

What are 3 risk factors? ›

This chapter focuses on the risks to health presented by the lifestyles that people lead: factors such as smoking, poor diet and high risk alcohol consumption collectively constitute some of the most important direct causes of early death and disability in England, and are primary drivers of health inequalities.

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