Final answer:
Protective factors for children include a parent's resilience to stress and the presence of positive parent-child relationships. These relationships contribute to better grades and fewer behavior problems for children, and can help them adjust to challenges like divorce. Avoiding substance abuse, social support, higher parental education, and a non-violent personal history also serve as protective factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protective Factors in Children and Parents
Understanding the protective factors that contribute to the well-being of children and the resilience of parents is crucial in preventing child abuse and promoting healthy development. A parent's resilience to stresses like financial hardship is a significant protective factor that can lower the risk of child abuse. Younger parents, especially teenage mothers, are typically less capable of coping with the stress of parenting, increasing the risk of potential abuse. However, as a parent's age and experience grow, this risk decreases.
Positive parent-child relationships are another critical protective factor. These relationships, characterized by warmth and healthy communication, are linked to better outcomes for children. For instance, after parental divorce, children who have good relationships and live or have joint arrangements with their parent of the same gender tend to show less aggression or more maturity and responsibility. The proximity of children to their parents can also positively affect their ability to adjust to divorce.
Lastly, studies show that children raised by parents who avoid substance abuse and maintain a social support network, have a higher educational background, and do not have a history of mistreatment, are at a lower risk of being abused. These elements serve as protective factors against the risk factors identified for child abuse.