This guide will help you answer 1.3 Explain how risk factors and protective factors influence levels of resilience in individuals and groups in relation to mental well-being and mental health.
Workers in health and social care often hear about “risk factors” and “protective factors.” Risk factors are circumstances or characteristics that can increase the chance of poor mental well-being or mental health problems. Protective factors reduce the chance of mental health issues and can improve resilience. Resilience describes someone’s ability to cope with and recover from difficult events, stress, or hardship.
Understanding these factors helps people support individuals and groups. It allows for better planning, more appropriate interventions, and picking up early warning signs before bigger problems develop.
What are Risk Factors?
A risk factor is anything that raises the possibility of negative outcomes. In mental health, this means more chance of developing poor well-being or specific mental illnesses.
Risk factors can relate to personal history, environment, society, or culture. They can exist at any age, though some are more common at certain times. Importantly, having one or two risk factors does not guarantee mental health problems, but they do increase the risk.
Some risk factors include:
- Poor physical health or disability
- Long-term stress (such as family breakdown, bullying, or poverty)
- Abuse, neglect, or trauma
- Parental mental illness
- Substance misuse (alcohol, drugs, prescribed medication)
- Unemployment
- Social isolation
- Discrimination or stigma
- Low self-esteem
- Living in unsafe environments
- Bereavement or loss
How Risk Factors Affect Individuals and Groups
Risk factors can make coping with challenges much harder.
For the individual, this might mean:
- Finding it difficult to bounce back after setbacks
- Increased anxiety, depression, or other conditions
- Difficulty in building or maintaining relationships
- Struggling in education or employment
- Poorer physical health
For groups, such as a family or community, many people sharing similar risks may create bigger collective challenges. A deprived neighbourhood facing violence and unemployment could see many people struggle with mental health. Vulnerable groups like looked-after children often have several risk factors.
Children with parents who misuse substances may have less supervision or support. Elderly people living alone can face both social isolation and physical health risks. In both cases, resilience is usually lower.
People in marginalised communities, facing racism or homophobia, might encounter constant discrimination. This long-term stress can lead to poor mental well-being for groups as well as individuals.
Protective Factors
Protective factors work in a different way. They act as strengths or supports. Protective factors reduce the effects of risks or even prevent mental health problems altogether. They encourage stronger coping methods, better recovery, and stronger well-being.
Examples of protective factors are:
- Supportive family life
- Positive, stable friendships
- Good communication skills
- High self-esteem
- Safe housing
- Access to education and employment
- Sense of belonging
- Opportunity for physical activity
- Emotional intelligence
- Access to mental health support
How Protective Factors Support Resilience
Protective factors offer a buffer against risks. If a young person is bullied (risk factor) but has a trusted adult to talk to (protective factor), their resilience is likely better. They may cope well, reach out for help, and recover more quickly.
Supportive relationships often have the strongest effect. Feeling valued and accepted, having emotional support, and practical help all help strengthen resilience.
Self-esteem gives a person confidence to manage stress. If someone believes “I can handle this,” they are less likely to be overwhelmed when things go wrong.
Access to meaningful activity, such as work, volunteering, or hobbies, provides routine and purpose. It takes focus away from problems and gives a sense of achievement. Good education and chances for training help people learn problem-solving skills.
Safe and stable home environments provide reassurance and predictability, reducing anxiety and supporting emotional recovery.
Balance of Risk and Protective Factors
Resilience is not fixed. The mix of risk and protective factors can change. If risk factors increase, a person’s resilience may drop. If enough protective factors exist, they can “cancel out” some risks.
For example, two siblings may both experience their parents splitting up. One has close friends, a helpful teacher, and is confident; the other feels alone and struggles in school. The first child is more likely to stay mentally healthy. The second will probably need more focused support.
It is also possible to reduce risks through interventions and to build new protective factors. This is a key role for health and social care workers.
Early Intervention Works
Spotting risk factors early can stop mental health problems before they start. Workers can support change:
- Linking to group activities and clubs (social support)
- Providing information about support services
- Teaching coping skills, such as stress management or problem-solving
- Supporting families with parenting advice or respite
- Challenging stigma or discrimination
Building self-esteem and emotional literacy are often successful. These can be taught, and practice makes them stronger.
How Risks and Protections Affect Different Age Groups
Children and Young People
Young people face added pressures. Adverse childhood experiences, such as neglect, abuse, or parental substance misuse, are big risk factors.
Being bullied, struggling in school, or friendship breakdowns are common risks at this age. They can reduce resilience and increase mental health problems.
Protective factors for young people include:
- Trusted adults
- Peer friendships
- Good relationships with teachers
- Involved carers or parents
- Opportunities to express feelings, such as creative activities
- Involvement in sports or clubs
Encouraging participation and providing a “safe base” can help children cope better.
Adults
Adults may face risks such as:
- Workplace stress
- Financial problems
- Relationship breakdown
- Social isolation
- Health issues
Building protective factors in adults often means strengthening social networks, developing good work-life balance, and encouraging healthy habits.
Access to community groups, adult learning, and support networks can raise resilience.
Older People
Older adults often face unique risks:
- Bereavement
- Physical health decline
- Loneliness
- Loss of independence
Protective factors are:
- Family and community support
- Safe and accessible housing
- Meaningful activities (volunteering, hobbies)
- Managing health conditions well
- Being included in decision making about own care
When older people feel heard, involved, and connected, resilience usually grows.
Groups and Communities
Groups facing shared risks may have lower overall resilience. Wide issues like high unemployment, community trauma, or discrimination can have multiplying effects.
Protective community factors include:
- Community support schemes
- Access to local healthcare
- Safe public spaces
- Opportunities for cultural or religious expression
- Local advocacy groups
Communities with active support systems and positive leadership are better placed to manage shocks and recover from hardship.
Working With Individuals: Example Scenarios
Think of Anna, a teenager whose parents are divorcing. She is struggling at school and feels her friends do not understand. She has one teacher she trusts and loves painting. Being able to talk to the teacher and having creative hobbies are protective factors. If practitioners encourage these and offer counselling, Anna’s resilience will likely improve.
Now consider John, a middle-aged man who lost his job. He feels isolated and has started drinking heavily. If workers connect him with peer support, encourage job-seeking skills, and involve him in a men’s group, these protective factors could support a better outcome.
Societal and Cultural Context
Culture and society affect both types of factors.
Some groups face stress from racism, homophobia, or lack of opportunity. These create barriers and higher risks of mental health problems.
Communities that encourage participation, value mental health, or where people feel safe bringing problems to light see better resilience.
Stigma is a community-level risk. Reducing it through education and open discussion helps everyone. This makes it easier for people to ask for help and increases community resilience.
How Workers Can Support Resilience
As a worker in health and social care, you can build resilience by:
- Noticing early warning signs of distress
- Providing open, non-judgemental listening
- Encouraging positive relationships
- Supporting people to access resources and information
- Teaching self-help and stress management skills
- Celebrating achievements and strengths
- Promoting community resources
- Helping individuals identify their personal support network
- Challenging discrimination wherever possible
Involving clients in decisions about their own care gives control and promotes positive self-belief.
Assessment and Planning
Good assessment looks at both risks and protective factors for each individual or group. Care plans should focus on removing or minimising as many risks as possible while building up strengths and supports.
Assessment tools can help. Examples include:
- Questionnaires about mood, relationships, and support
- Genograms (family maps)
- Community resource mapping
- Talking therapy assessments
Plans should not be “one-size-fits-all.” Each person’s situation is different, and their strengths deserve focus alongside their challenges.
Final Thoughts
Risk factors raise the chance of mental health and well-being problems, often through poor environment, difficult backgrounds, or lack of support. Protective factors help people manage stress, recover, and live well, even if they face challenges.
Anyone can develop resilience. Workers are in a unique position to spot risks, boost strengths, give practical support, and make a lasting difference in people’s mental well-being and mental health. Celebrating protective factors and encouraging positive change helps everyone stay strong and recover from setbacks.
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