Protective Factors

Definition

Protective factors are the things in your life that support resilience and recovery: the connections, beliefs, skills and reasons for going on that a clinician asks about alongside what is making things hard. They are not a guarantee against crisis, and they are not a score. They are what there is to build on. Your therapist or doctor will assess your protective factors to understand your strengths and develop strategies to build additional protection and support in your life.

Understanding Protective Factors

Working With Risk

Strengthening these is one half of how risk is worked with, alongside addressing what is driving it.

Strength-Based

Assessment focuses on your existing strengths and resources rather than just problems.

Modifiable Elements

Many protective factors can be developed and strengthened through intervention and support.

Individual Variation

Different protective factors may be more important for different people.

Research and Evidence

What the evidence covers

The most studied protective factor is the set of reasons a person has for living. A systematic review of 39 studies using the Reasons for Living Inventory found that these may protect against suicidal thoughts and attempts, with moral objections to suicide and survival and coping beliefs standing out among them.⁴

The same review found no study that examined death by suicide. That is the honest shape of this evidence: measured against thoughts and attempts, promising rather than settled, and not a guarantee for any one person.⁴

Reasons for living can also be built on deliberately in therapy, which is part of why a clinician asks about them rather than only asking what is wrong.

Categories of Protective Factors

Personal Factors

Individual characteristics and skills that promote resilience and well-being.

Social Factors

Relationships and connections that provide support and meaning.

Environmental Factors

Situational elements that promote safety and well-being.

Cultural Factors

Cultural and spiritual elements that provide meaning and support.

Treatment Factors

Professional support and interventions that promote recovery.

Behavioural Factors

Actions and habits that support mental health and resilience.

Personal Protective Factors

Coping Skills

Healthy ways of managing stress, emotions, and difficult situations.

Problem-Solving Abilities

Skills for identifying problems and developing effective solutions.

Emotional Regulation

Ability to manage and express emotions in healthy ways.

Self-Esteem

Positive sense of self-worth and personal value.

Hope and Optimism

Belief that things can improve and that the future holds possibilities.

Sense of Purpose

Having meaning, goals, and reasons for living.

Social Protective Factors

Strong Relationships

Close, supportive relationships with family, friends, or partners.

Social Connections

Broader network of social contacts and community involvement.

Family Support

Supportive family relationships and positive family functioning.

Peer Support

Connections with others who understand your experiences.

Professional Support

Positive relationships with therapists, doctors, and other helpers.

Community Involvement

Participation in community activities, organisations, or groups.

Cultural and Individual Considerations

Cultural Competence

Understanding how your cultural background influences your protective factors and sources of strength.

Individual Differences

Recognising that different people find strength and protection in different areas.

Cultural Values

Respecting cultural values that provide meaning and support.

Spiritual Factors

Understanding how spiritual or religious beliefs may serve as protective factors.

Family Patterns

Considering how cultural family structures provide support and protection.

Community Resources

Identifying culturally relevant community resources and supports.

Professional Applications

If You're Being Assessed

Your clinician will explore your strengths and sources of support, you'll work together to identify and build protective factors, and these factors will be incorporated into your treatment and safety planning.

For Mental Health Professionals

Assessing protective factors requires training in strength-based approaches, understanding of cultural and individual differences, knowledge of resilience research, and skills in building and mobilising protective resources.

Clinical Training

Understanding the specific knowledge and skills needed for effective protective factor assessment and intervention.

Your Experience During Assessment

Strength Exploration

You'll be asked about your strengths, resources, and sources of support.

Positive Focus

The assessment emphasises what's working well in your life.

Collaborative Identification

You'll work with your clinician to identify existing and potential protective factors.

Building Strategies

You'll develop plans for strengthening and building additional protective factors.

Resource Connection

You'll be connected with resources that can enhance your protective factors.

Ongoing Development

Protective factor building continues throughout your treatment.

What this sounds like in practice

Clinician: When things were at their worst last month, what kept you going?

Patient: My sister rang. And the dog still needed walking.

Clinician: So your sister, and something that needs you every morning. Could we make your sister ringing less a matter of chance?

Patient: I could message her on the bad days.

A protective factor named, then made usable.

Environmental Protective Factors

Safe Living Situation

Stable, safe housing and living environment.

Financial Security

Adequate financial resources to meet basic needs.

Access to Care

Available mental health and medical care services.

Reduced Access to Means

Limited access to lethal methods of self-harm.

Supportive Work Environment

Positive workplace relationships and reasonable job demands.

Community Resources

Available community services, activities, and support systems.

Cultural and Spiritual Protective Factors

Religious Beliefs

Spiritual beliefs that provide meaning, hope, and community.

Cultural Identity

Strong sense of cultural identity and belonging.

Traditional Practices

Cultural practices that provide comfort and connection.

Spiritual Community

Participation in religious or spiritual communities.

Cultural Values

Values that emphasise life, family, and community.

Meaning Systems

Belief systems that provide purpose and direction.

Benefits of Protective Factor Assessment

Strength Recognition

Identifying and acknowledging your existing strengths and resources.

Resilience Building

Developing greater ability to cope with stress and adversity.

Hope Enhancement

Building hope and optimism for the future.

Support Mobilisation

Connecting with and strengthening support systems.

Recovery Promotion

Supporting overall mental health recovery and well-being.

Prevention Focus

Preventing crisis situations through strength building.

Common Applications

Treatment Planning

Incorporating protective factors into comprehensive treatment plans.

Safety Planning

Using protective factors to develop effective safety strategies.

Crisis Prevention

Building protective factors to prevent future crisis situations.

Recovery Support

Supporting long-term recovery through protective factor development.

Resilience Training

Teaching skills and strategies that build protective factors.

Community Intervention

Developing community programmes that build protective factors.

Building Protective Factors

Skill Development

Learning and practising coping skills, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

Relationship Building

Developing and strengthening supportive relationships and connections.

Meaning Exploration

Exploring sources of meaning, purpose, and hope in your life.

Community Engagement

Participating in community activities and organisations.

Self-Care Practices

Developing healthy habits that support mental and physical well-being.

Professional Support

Engaging with mental health professionals and treatment services.

Treatment-Related Protective Factors

Therapeutic Relationship

Strong, positive relationship with your therapist or counsellor.

Treatment Engagement

Active participation in therapy and treatment recommendations.

Medication Compliance

Taking prescribed medications as directed when appropriate.

Crisis Planning

Having clear plans for managing crisis situations.

Professional Support

Access to mental health professionals and crisis services.

Recovery Community

Connection with others in recovery or peer support groups.

Supporting Protective Factor Development

Honest Assessment

Sharing truthfully about your strengths, resources, and sources of support.

Active Participation

Engaging actively in efforts to build and strengthen protective factors.

Resource Utilisation

Using available resources and support systems effectively.

Skill Practice

Practising new coping skills and protective strategies regularly.

Relationship Investment

Investing time and energy in building supportive relationships.

Self-Care Commitment

Committing to self-care practices that support your well-being.

Moving Forward

Strength Building

Continuing to build and strengthen protective factors throughout recovery.

Resource Development

Developing new sources of support and protection over time.

Resilience Enhancement

Building greater resilience and ability to cope with future challenges.

Conclusion

Protective factors are crucial elements that support your mental health, reduce risk, and promote recovery. By identifying and building these factors with your treatment team, you create a foundation of strength and support that helps you navigate challenges and maintain hope for the future. Remember that building protective factors is an ongoing process that strengthens over time.