PS282 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Protective Factor, Social Capital
Document Summary
Chapter 8: understanding stress and coping in context. Risk factors correlated with problem outcomes and protective factors associated with avoiding problems or promoting well being. Protective factors provide resources for coping and represent strengths of persons, families, communities and can buffer people from stressors. Community resources (support from religious congregations, school programs, rec centres) Macrosystem resources (access to affordable health and child care) Positive sense of community and social capital are protective factors for coping. Bronfenbrenner said the presence of an irrationally caring adult is most essential protective factor for children (children benefit when they know someone unconditionally cares about them) Within this model, intervntions may be designed (a) to reduce exposure to risk factors, (b) to boost protective factors and experiences, or (c) a combo of both. Distal factors = more distant from problem, not direct triggers but involve vulnerabilities indirectly linked to the problem.
