Transcript What are risk and protective factors?

Talking about Risk and Protective
Factors Related to Health and
Community Development Issues
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What are risk and protective factors?
Risk and protective factors make it more likely or less
likely that a person will experience a given problem.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Risk factors for adolescent substance
abuse
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Economic deprivation.
Availability of substances.
Family history of drug abuse.
Academic failure.
Having friends who use drugs.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Protective factors for adolescent
substance abuse
• Bonding with non-users.
• Skills training.
• Healthy beliefs and clear standards.
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Why should you talk about risk and
protective factors?
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Focus on prevention.
Focus on costs.
Focus on benefits.
Focus on awareness.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you talk about risk and
protective factors?
• Determine the important risk and protective
factors for your issue.
• Document each risk or protective factor.
• Decide what you want to achieve.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Decide exactly what you want to achieve
by talking about risk and protective
factors:
• Enhance knowledge.
• Convince people to take action.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you talk about risk and
protective factors?
• Choose your battle.
• Know your audience, and tailor your message to
those with whom you are communicating.
• Think about what else you are saying.
• Decide what form of communication is most
appropriate and feasible.
• Evaluate what you have done.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas