What are risk and protective factors?

Risk and protective factors are attributes, characteristics, or conditions that influence the likelihood of an individual engaging in harmful behavior or experiencing negative outcomes, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or other health-related problems. The correct answer highlights that these factors can both increase the risk of problems and provide protective benefits that can mitigate those risks.

For example, risk factors might include elements like poor family support, socioeconomic status, or exposure to violence, while protective factors could encompass strong family bonds, positive peer relationships, or access to community resources. By understanding and identifying these influences, prevention specialists can develop more effective strategies that not only reduce risks but also enhance protective factors within individuals and communities.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the full essence of what risk and protective factors represent. While elements that determine health outcomes might be part of the discussion, focusing solely on them ignores the complexity of multiple influences involved. Additionally, limiting the perspective to solely individual behaviors overlooks the impact of social and environmental factors, while techniques to enhance individual motivation, although relevant to behavior change, do not encompass the broader context of risk and protective factors.