PROTECTIVE FACTORS

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All of Short Years’ Child Abuse Prevention programs include the five critical factors proven to protect children from the risk of child abuse and neglect.

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The five protective factors are:

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• Nurturing and attachment: A child’s early experience of being nurtured and developing a bond with caring adults affects all aspects of behavior and development. When parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance, and protection.

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• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development: Discipline is both more effective and more nurturing when parents know how to set and enforce limits and encourage appropriate behaviors based on the child’s age and level of development. Parents who understand how children grow and develop can provide an environment where children can live up to their potential.

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• Parental resilience: Resilience is the ability to handle everyday stressors and recover from occasional crises.  Parents who are emotionally resilient, have a positive attitude, creatively problem solve, and effectively address challenges are less likely to direct anger and frustration at their children.

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• Social connections: Evidence links social isolation and perceived lack of support to child maltreatment. Trusted and caring family and friends provide emotional support to parents by offering encouragement and assistance in facing the daily challenges of raising a family.

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• Concrete supports for parents: Many factors beyond the parent-child relationship affect a family’s ability to care for their children. Parents need basic resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, and access to essential services that address family-specific needs such as childcare, health, and mental health care to ensure the health and well-being of their children.

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