Protective Factors
Certain factors are thought to protect youth and reduce
their risk of suicide.
Age of change
The behaviour of children begins to change when they reach the
pre-adolescent and adolescent stages. They become more impulsive, moody and
belligerent. Developmentally, adolescents may begin to pull away from you in
a search for their own identity and many struggle through a
dependence-independence crisis. Physically, adolescents may grow 15 percent
in both height and weight and appear to look more like adults than children.
However, while their bodies are maturing, the same cannot be said of the
adolescent brain. Research in neuroscience indicates that adolescence is a
chaotic time for the brain. Different regions are developing on different
time tables and a number of neurotransmitter levels are increasing and
declining. Additionally, the release of sex hormones is changing the
architecture of the brain. The teenage brain is less able to control
emotions and its ability to make good judgments and control impulses is
compromised. All these factors may put your child at higher risk of suicide.
Protective factors
Fortunately, most teenagers emerge from this tumultuous time with few or
no permanent scars or thoughts of suicide. Research has shown that certain
factors help protect and strengthen youth during this developmental stage.
External factors
- Family cohesion, e.g., involvement, shared interests and emotional
support.
- Good relationships with other youth and adults.
- Academic achievement.
- Stable environment.
- Social integration and opportunities to participate in activities.
- Responsibilities for other people or pets.
- Adequate care for substance use, physical and mental disorders.
- Lack of access to means for suicidal behaviour.
- Connection to a religious community.
- Internal Factors.
Internal factors
- Sense of belonging.
- Sociability, i.e., ability to be a friend.
- Love of learning.
- Perceived connectedness to school.
- Sense of worth and self-confidence.
- Self-motivation.
- Help-seeking and advice-seeking behaviour.
- Service, i.e., gives of self in service to others or a cause.
- Life skills, e.g., good decision-making, assertiveness, impulse control,
coping skills, flexibility and perserverance.
Building and enhancing protective factors in youth
1. Help your child build connections
Research in the field of youth development and resiliency shows that
building stronger connections with family, school, other adults and youth,
and getting involved in community activities, are some of the most important
ways to develop protective factors in a young person’s life. Help your child
find volunteer opportunities in the community.
2. Help your child to identify their external and internal strengths
by asking questions like these:
- In previous difficult situations, how did you cope, what did you do?
- Who do you talk to when experiencing stress? How do they help? Can they help you now and in the future? Who else can help?
- Can you use what you have learned in other situations to help you now and
in the future?
3. Help your child create a network of support.
Develop or strengthen your relationship with your child. Provide support,
communicate positive expectations and invite participation. Demonstrate
attitudes and messages of optimism, strength and overcoming difficulties. In
doing so you will help to empower your child.
Protective Factors
Certain factors are thought to protect youth and reduce
their risk of suicide.
Age of change
The behaviour of children begins to change when they reach the
pre-adolescent and adolescent stages. They become more impulsive, moody and
belligerent. Developmentally, adolescents may begin to pull away from you in
a search for their own identity and many struggle through a
dependence-independence crisis. Physically, adolescents may grow 15 percent
in both height and weight and appear to look more like adults than children.
However, while their bodies are maturing, the same cannot be said of the
adolescent brain. Research in neuroscience indicates that adolescence is a
chaotic time for the brain. Different regions are developing on different
time tables and a number of neurotransmitter levels are increasing and
declining. Additionally, the release of sex hormones is changing the
architecture of the brain. The teenage brain is less able to control
emotions and its ability to make good judgments and control impulses is
compromised. All these factors may put your child at higher risk of suicide.
Protective factors
Fortunately, most teenagers emerge from this tumultuous time with few or
no permanent scars or thoughts of suicide. Research has shown that certain
factors help protect and strengthen youth during this developmental stage.
External factors
- Family cohesion, e.g., involvement, shared interests and emotional
support.
- Good relationships with other youth and adults.
- Academic achievement.
- Stable environment.
- Social integration and opportunities to participate in activities.
- Responsibilities for other people or pets.
- Adequate care for substance use, physical and mental disorders.
- Lack of access to means for suicidal behaviour.
- Connection to a religious community.
- Internal Factors.
Internal factors
- Sense of belonging.
- Sociability, i.e., ability to be a friend.
- Love of learning.
- Perceived connectedness to school.
- Sense of worth and self-confidence.
- Self-motivation.
- Help-seeking and advice-seeking behaviour.
- Service, i.e., gives of self in service to others or a cause.
- Life skills, e.g., good decision-making, assertiveness, impulse control,
coping skills, flexibility and perserverance.
Building and enhancing protective factors in youth
1. Help your child build connections
Research in the field of youth development and resiliency shows that
building stronger connections with family, school, other adults and youth,
and getting involved in community activities, are some of the most important
ways to develop protective factors in a young person’s life. Help your child
find volunteer opportunities in the community.
2. Help your child to identify their external and internal strengths
by asking questions like these:
- In previous difficult situations, how did you cope, what did you do?
- Who do you talk to when experiencing stress? How do they help? Can they help you now and in the future? Who else can help?
- Can you use what you have learned in other situations to help you now and
in the future?
3. Help your child create a network of support.
Develop or strengthen your relationship with your child. Provide support,
communicate positive expectations and invite participation. Demonstrate
attitudes and messages of optimism, strength and overcoming difficulties. In
doing so you will help to empower your child.