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Are Your Kids at Risk?

Risk Factors

Protective Factors

Risk Factors
Risk factors that make kids more likely to be involved in violence include the following:

• Previous aggressive or violent behavior
• Being the victim of physical abuse and/or sexual abuse
• Being exposed to violence in the home or community
• Temperament
• Anxiety and stress
• Using drugs or alcohol
• Having guns or firearms in the home
• Loss of support from extended family
• Social or academic difficulty in school
• Trauma
• A stressful family life, including:
  • Drug or alcohol abuse in the home
  • Being poor
  • Single parenting
  • Unemployment

Individual:

• Social competence -- Communication skills, impulse control, empathy, humor and, most importantly, not planning revenge after experiencing violence
• Problem solving skills -- The ability to avoid violence or calm a violent situation
• Autonomy -- Self-control, taking responsibility for their actions.
• Sense of purpose and future -- Kids who have goals, such as to go to college

Family:

• Caring and supportive relationships among family members
• Parents who have high expectations for positive social behavior
• Parents who monitor their children and know what their children are doing
• Structure and clear rules for the home
• Children who actively participate in family activities

Community:
Being involved in positive activities in the community, such as:

• with athletic teams
• with adult mentors
• with church or religious groups
• with neighborhood organizations

These activities promote meaningful connections with adults and friendships with peers who have positive social values.

--Adapted from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

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