Building Protective Factors - Upstream Prevention e-Blast

The Search Institute's Developmental Assets provide a well-researched framework for building strength and protective factors in youth, and across the lifespan! Divided into internal and external factors, each asset centers on building relationships, opportunities, values, or increasing social-emotional strengths -- all the things Upstream wants for our youth and neighbors!

You're probably familiar with the concepts of risk factors as they related to heart disease and also know that there are proactive steps you can do to help protect against heart disease. Did you know the same exists for substance use and suicide prevention?

In prevention science, we call those proactive steps to protect against problems are called protective factors; internal and external factors that help provide a protective bubble. Addressing these factors is the core approach to Moving Upstream, where we seek to have an impact at a root level and help protect against later challenges.

The 40 Developmental Assets provide a structured approach to building these protective factors, or assets in individuals. Each of their researched assets provides a way for parents/guardians, schools, community members, and community organizations to build up protection in our youth. As hard as the community may try, we will likely never remove all risk factors; but we can come together and build protective factors in all youth!

External Asset domains (represented above) include providing Support, Empowerment, setting Boundaries and Expectations, and engagement in Constructive Use of Time. Within these domains are 20 individual assets that adults can nurture. The external assets represent the supports, opportunities, and relationships young people need across all aspects of their lives, from the community, family, friends, and school environments.

Internal Asset domains (represented below) represent the personal skills, commitments, and values they need to make good choices, take responsibility for their own lives, and be independent and fulfilled. These include Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies, and building a Positive Identity.