Importance of protective factors
Preventing substance abuse by teens
by Brent McCraw, M.Ed., Director, Pathways Treatment Center

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This is especially true when it comes to preventing substance use/abuse problems among adolescents. During the past two decades there has been significant advancement in scientific research in the field of prevention. This has resulted in programs designed to reduce and/or eliminate problematic behaviors in youth, including substance abuse, academic failures, teen pregnancies and criminal behavior.

Two of the leading researchers in the prevention field are Richard F. Catalono, Ph.D., and J. David Hawkins, Ph.D., of the Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington (http://depts.washington.edu/sdrg/index.html). Studies of risk factors and protective factors for problematic behaviors in youth have found:

Risk factors correlate with problematic behaviors. The more risk factors a teen-ager has, the greater the likelihood of problematic behaviors.

Protective factors correlate with positive outcomes, such as success at school. Protective factors have been shown to buffer the effect of risk factors and increase resilience to substance abuse.
Prevention programs have positively influenced children in schools, churches, clubs and other community settings. Their goal is to reduce risk factors when possible and enhance protective factors. The programs have been successful when targeting universal populations or subpopulations of children who are at risk. They are not designed to affect adolescents already in trouble who need treatment.

Risk and protective factors

In his study, "Using Communities That Care to Promote Healthy Child Development and Academic Success," J. David Hawkins divides risk factors for adolescent substance abuse and protective factors into separate life domains.

Risk factor domains include:

Community: Availability of drugs, extreme economic deprivation

Family: History of substance abuse, conflict, favorable parental attitudes toward and/or involvement with substance abuse.

School: Academic failure beginning in late elementary school, lack of commitment to school

Individual or Peer: Early and persistent antisocial behavior, friends who are substance users/abusers, early initiation of substance abuse
Protective factor domains include:

Individual characteristics: High intelligence, resilient temperament (adapts well to stress), competencies and skills (The latter two describe an internal sense of competence, the primary contributor to self-esteem. It is important for parents to not only compliment children, but also to give them a chance to develop their own skills and competencies, enabling them to feel good about themselves and recognize their abilities to become successful.)

Social factors: Prosocial opportunities (responsibilities at home, participation in activities such as sports, music, theater, art, church), reinforcement for prosocial involvement from influential adults, bonding (having healthy relationships with adults including parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, pastors), healthy beliefs and clear standards for behavior (clear rules in the home about the use of alcohol and drugs; these rules are enforced, and parents are good role models).

Suggestions for parents

The good news is that parents can play an important role in reducing risk factors and enhancing protective factors, but it is important to start early.

Parents can influence positive youth development by following these suggestions from A Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.family.samhsa.gov).

Talk with your child. Establishing and maintaining good communication helps with bonding and keeps the channels of communication open. If a child is having problems, he or she will not be afraid to ask for help.

Get involved in the child's life and provide prosocial activities for the child, such as sports, scouts or drama.

Set clear rules and enforce them, particularly about substance abuse. Set a good example. Clear and consistent rules help children develop self-discipline and encourage physical and mental well being.

Be a good role model. Children learn how to interact socially by watching parents and other adults. Children also learn how to manage stress by observing how parents manage stress.

Teach children to choose friends wisely. When you are active and engaged in your child's life, you can influence their friendships when they are young. When they are older, discuss how to choose friends wisely.

Monitor your child's activities. Pay attention to their activities, music, reading materials and friends. Involvement in your child's interests gives you the opportunity to share your interests and values.

Every parent wants to raise happy and healthy children. While this is hard work, investing time and energy in these protective factors while children are young pays significant dividends during adolescence and beyond.