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Understanding The 5 Protective Factors

May 27, 2025

You might have heard Safe & Sound refer to ‘strengthening protective factors’ but what are they, and why do they matter?

The 5 Protective Factors are areas of family functioning that help support youth and families to be strong. Research shows that when these factors are present in populations of families, it reduces the risk of abuse, maltreatment, and negative outcomes.

Strengthening each of these factors in your own life allows for personal development and a healthy wellbeing, which is essential in flourishing and building stability in your family. By building a foundation, having a strong community and resources to rely on, it will not only reduce stressors as a parent but also have a long lasting effect on how your kiddos solve problems and make healthy decisions throughout life.

These are the 5 Protective Factors:
  • Parental Resilience
  • Social and Emotional Competence of Children
  • Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
  • Social Connections
  • Concrete Support

Each Protective Factor has its own super power!

Let’s meet them:
Poster showing the protective factor Plantdad and explaining its meaning
Poster showing the protective factor Pixie Stardust and explaining its meaning
Poster showing the protective factor Larry Librarian and explaining its meaning
Poster showing the protective factor Grandmaster Granny and explaining its meaning
Poster showing the protective factor Flo. R. Essence and explaining its meaning

If you want to know more about how to incorporate each power feel free to call Safe & Sound’s TALK Line or come into Parent Drop In to chat and bring your kiddos to the playroom!

  • TALK Line: (415) 441-5437
    Parenting is hard and you don’t have to do it alone

  • Parent Drop In:
    Monday & Thursday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Tuesday & Wednesday: 2 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

  • Check out our For Parents section of the website for more resources.

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