What does the term “protective factors” refer to?

The term "protective factors" refers to conditions or attributes that help individuals resist or mitigate negative outcomes, particularly in the context of health and well-being. These factors serve as buffers against various risks, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, and other adverse situations.

For example, strong social support systems, positive relationships, and coping skills are considered protective factors because they can help individuals navigate challenges and prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors. Understanding protective factors is crucial for prevention specialists, as it guides interventions aimed at enhancing resilience and promoting healthier choices.

The other choices highlight concepts that do not align with the definition of protective factors. Options that suggest attributes leading to harm or promoting risk-taking focus on vulnerabilities rather than resilience, which is contrary to the purpose of identifying protective factors in preventive health strategies. Additionally, stating that individual traits are universally beneficial overlooks the context-dependent nature of protective factors, which may vary across different populations and situations.