Prevent Child Abuse Nevada
5 Protective Factors for Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect
A strong family is able to support all of its members. For children, this may mean support for their education and self-esteem. Adults need strong families too. Members of a strong family feel confident and fulfilled.
No matter how strong your family is,
there is always room for increased knowledge, understanding, and communication between members. Research has found 5 areas that are important in protecting families, especially children, and helping them overcome problems.
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Nurturing and Attachment
Research shows that babies who receive affection and nurturing from their parents have the best chance of developing into children, teens, and adults who are happy, healthy, and possess self-protective factors such as relational, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills. Research also shows that a consistent relationship with caring adults in the early years of life is associated with better grades, healthier behaviors, more positive peer interactions, and an increased ability to cope with stress later in life. Even small acts of kindness, protection, and caring — a hug, a smile, or loving words — make a big difference to a child.
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Knowledge of Parenting and How Children Develop
Parents who understand the usual course of child development are more likely to be able to provide their children with respectful communication, consistent rules and expectations, developmentally appropriate limits, and opportunities that promote independence. Of course, no parent can be an expert on all aspects of infant, child, and teenage development. When parents are not aware of normal developmental milestones, interpret their child’s behaviors in a negative way, or do not know how to respond to and effectively manage a child’s behavior, they can become frustrated and may resort to unwarranted harsh discipline.
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Parental Resilience
All parents have inner strengths or resources that can serve as a foundation for building resilience. Parents who can cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well as an occasional crisis, have resilience – the flexibility and inner strength to bounce back when things are not going well. Their ability to deal with life’s ups and downs serves as a model of coping behavior for their children. This can help children learn critical self-regulation and problem-solving skills.
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Social Connections
Parents with a network of emotionally supportive friends, family, and neighbors often find that it is easier to care for their children and themselves. A positive community environment – and a parent’s ability to participate effectively in his or her community- is an important protective factor. Social connections support children in multiple ways. Parents’ social interaction also models important relational skills for children, increasing the likelihood that children will benefit from involvement in positive activities.
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Concrete Supports for Parents
Families whose basic needs for food, clothing, housing, and transportation are met have more time and energy to devote to their children’s safety and well-being. When parents do not have steady financial resources, lack a stable living situation, lack health insurance, or face a family crisis, their ability to support their children’s healthy development may be at risk.