Parenting is rewarding. But let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. Between work, school, activities, finances and the everyday challenges of raising children, every family has stressful moments. In the face of all this stress, parents and caregivers may feel like they’re falling short. However, research shows that just a few key strengths can help parents build an environment where children can grow and succeed. These strengths, known as the five protective factors, support the overall well-being of children and families. They’re not special skills that only some families have. They’re strengths that anyone can build over time through everyday actions, supportive relationships and access to the right resources.
What are the five protective factors?
The five protective factors act as safeguards, providing support and skills to help parents navigate stress and raise healthy, resilient children.
- Parental resilience is the ability to manage stress, recover from setbacks and keep moving forward through challenges. When parents know how to deal with stress, they are better equipped to support their children.
- Social connections are positive relationships with family members, friends, neighbors and other trusted people who offer encouragement and support. Strong connections help reduce isolation and remind families they are not alone.
- Knowledge of parenting and child development helps parents understand what children need at different stages of growth, creating realistic expectations and stronger parent-child relationships.
- Concrete support in times of need means families have access to essentials such as food, housing, health care, child care or other services during difficult times.
- Social and emotional competence of children refers to a child’s ability to understand emotions, communicate needs, build healthy relationships and solve problems effectively.
Why do the protective factors matter?
Prevention of child abuse and neglect begins long before a crisis occurs. Families are more likely to succeed when they have support systems, practical resources and opportunities to build on their strengths. The protective factors focus on prevention by strengthening families to help navigate everyday challenges. When these protective factors are present, the risk of abuse and neglect decreases.
How can I support these factors at home?
Putting the protective factors into action does not require big changes. Small, consistent actions make a meaningful difference.
- Take care of yourself. Make time for rest, exercise, hobbies or other activities that help you recharge. Caring for yourself gives you the ability to better care for others.
- Stay connected. Reach out to a friend, family member or neighbor regularly. A quick phone call or coffee date can strengthen your support network.
- Ask for help when you need it. Whether you need someone to watch your child, a ride to work or access to community resources, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Keep learning. Read parenting articles, join support groups or talk with trusted professionals about child development and parenting challenges.
- Talk about feelings. Help your child name and express emotions. Use everyday moments to practice empathy, problem-solving and healthy communication.
- Celebrate progress. Parenting is not about perfection. Recognize small successes and focus on what is going well.
Every parent has the ability to strengthen protective factors in their family. When we invest in these everyday actions, we help create stronger families, safer children and healthier communities.
At Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL), we use the protective factors as a guide for helping families build on their existing strengths. Through services focused on child abuse prevention, family support and school readiness, we work alongside parents and caregivers to help Kansas children grow up safe, healthy and ready to learn.
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