Protective Factors

Positive personal characteristics, including social skills and social responsiveness, cooperative attitude, emotional stability, positive sense of self, flexibility, problem-solving skills, and low levels of defensiveness
Bonding to societal institutions and values, including attachment to parents and extended family, commitment to school, regular involvement with religious institutions, and belief in society's values
Social and emotional competence, including good communication skills, responsiveness, empathy, caring, sense of humor, inclination toward pro-social behavior, sense of autonomy, sense of purpose and the future, and self-discipline

Positive bonding among family members
Parenting that includes high levels of warmth and avoidance of severe criticism, sense of basic trust, high parental expectations, and clear and consistent expectations, including children's participation in family decisions and responsibilities
An emotionally supportive parental/family setting, including parental attention to children's interests, orderly and structured parent-child relationships, and parent involvement in homework and school-related activities

Association with peers who are involved in school, recreation, service, religion, or other organized activities

Caring and support; sense of community in classroom and school
High expectations from school personnel
Clear standards and rules for appropriate behavior
Youth participation, involvement, and responsibility in school tasks and decisions