Protective Factors Articles: School

KidsMatter Primary. Protective Factors for Children's Mental Health. Australia. Australian Government Department of Aging 2009. Retrieved on March 6, 2012 from http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/

This article looks at how protective factors attempt to reduce influences which may affect a child's mental health. The state of a child's mental health can affect all aspects of their life. Family and school life can be positively affected with strong protective factors in place. "Positive connections between family and school support children's academic achievement and reduce the likelihood of failure." (KM) This article looks at how protective factors "can help to reduce the likelihood of developing mental health problems." (KM)
This article also discusses how protective factors counteract risk factors. "A caring relationship with a parent, caregiver and/or teacher provides children with a source of support to help them cope with difficulties." (KM) This article also breaks down how key protectors such as the child, family, school, life events, and society can influence children's mental health.

This article would be beneficial to parents and teachers because it can help them to understand how protective factors can be instrumental in having a positive affect on a child's mental health. Although this article focuses on how protective factors can reduce risk factors "it is important to note that while the factors listed above have been found to be associated with a reduction in the risk of mental health problems, this does not mean that a particular factor or combination of factors will necessarily be protective in all children." (KM)