In 2004, more than 750,000 young people aged 10–24 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries due to violence.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Youth violence continues to be a big threat to our nation’s health. As such, we benefit from knowing what puts our youths at risk and what helps protect them from that risk. Lowering the risk is only half the picture.

Research on protective factors, while not yet as extensive as that for risk factors, is growing. Certain qualities and conditions can help buffer young people from the risk of becoming violent, antisocial, or delinquent. These factors are typically categorized as individual, family, school, and peer factors.

According to a Surgeon General’s report on youth violence released in 2001, there are two factors with substantial evidence as being protective: having an intolerant attitude toward deviance and having a personal commitment to school.

Numerous indicators could prove to be protective, and research continues to investigate:

• Positive social orientation (traditional values and social norms).
• Secure relationship with a caring adult.
• High grade point average.
• Ability to talk about problems with parents.
• Perceived high expectations from parents.
• Peer groups that value academic achievement.
• Involvement in social activities.
• Frequent activities with parents.
• Recognition and encouragement from teachers.

Intolerance of Deviance Having an intolerant attitude toward deviance reflects a belief in traditional and social values. One step further, this attitude will carry with it a view that wrongdoing is unacceptable. Young people with these beliefs will typically avoid delinquent and criminal behavior, including violence. They will have friends who also shun delinquent behavior.

Commitment to School Having a strong commitment to school primarily involves embracing the values and goals of schooling. Children who have a commitment to school are more likely to stay away from violence and delinquency because school success is important to them. These children also value approval and recognition from adults.

Social Development Strategy Developed by researchers David Hawkins and Richard Catalano, the Social Development Strategy focuses on similar principles: bonding to prosocial family members, friends, and to the school itself; plus clear standards for behavior.

This approach encourages families, communities, and schools to establish strong relationships and clear standards for behavior. It’s important to model healthy behaviors for young people—and to talk about those expectations.

SDS offers four ways to reinforce these protective factors:

• Provide opportunities for youths to be involved in productive roles—at home, at school, in the neighborhood.
• Teach skills to be successful in these roles.
• Give consistent recognition and positive reinforcement for positive involvement.
• Give constructive feedback when standards are not met.

Hawkins and Catalano are principal researchers with the Social Development Research Group (SDRG) in Seattle. SDRG is a multidisciplinary team of researchers who are dedicated to positive development for youths and the factors and interventions that contribute to it.

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Protective Factors: Accentuate the Positive