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Free To Grow
Mailman School
of Public Health
Columbia University
722 West 168th Street,
8th Floor
New York, NY 10032
Mailman School
of Public Health
Columbia University
722 West 168th Street,
8th Floor
New York, NY 10032
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Fostering resiliency in kids: Protective factors in the family, school, and community Bonnie Benard The author reviews recent research on how protective factors in families, schools, and communities promote healthy child development and how they can be strengthened to prevent ATOD use. Key factors are the active, caring participation of a parent or other caregiver in children's lives, high expectations for the child, and opportunities for responsible behavior. Positive family characteristics include having clear rules and responsibilities, and opportunities for contributing to family life and needs. In the school arena, caring teachers, peers, and friends are significant factors, as well as high academic standards, high student participation levels, and multiple resources. Similarly, competent communities nurture families and schools through social and economic support, value children as resources, stimulate social bonds, and model acceptable behavior. These protective factors can increase the resiliency of children against risk factors that lead to destructive behavior. Resilient children have feelings of autonomy and self-esteem, a sense of purpose and future, and exhibit social competence and problem-solving skills. Resiliency is part of healthy human development. The key to successful ATOD prevention efforts is to concentrate on the protective factors that make children believe in themselves and see the world as a positive place.
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
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Disclaimer Free To Grow is a national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University. |