Risk & Protective Factors
There are many factors that influence youth's attitudes and actions with regard to underage drinking or substance use or abuse. A risk factor is anything associated with the increased likelihood of creating or increasing negative consequences. A protective factor is anything that reduces risks and negative behaviors by helping individuals not to become involved with things that lead to negative consequences and/or promotes positive alternatives.
Over the past few decades there has been tremendous research in the arena of alcohol and drug abuse prevention. We now know, for example, that the more risk factors present, the greater the likelihood of young people engaging in underage drinking, other drug use/abuse, violence, or other negative behaviors.
Risk and protective factors exist on several levels:
A special thank you to the Search Institute and Keep Kids Drug Free Foundation, Inc. for excerpts for this web page content.