Which statement best describes risk factors and protective factors in mental health?

• A. Have no impact on outcomes
• B. Are only found in childhood
• C. Buffer against risk and promote resilience
• D. Increase probability of developing a disorder

Answer: (C)

Understanding how risk and protective factors shape mental health outcomes shows why some people stay resilient even when faced with adversity. A risk factor is something that raises the chance of developing a mental health problem—like chronic stress, trauma, or low social support. Protective factors, on the other hand, are those that buffer against risk and help people cope, recover, and thrive, promoting resilience. They can include supportive relationships, effective coping skills, positive self-esteem, help-seeking behaviors, and access to quality mental health care. Protective factors don’t erase risk completely, but they lessen its impact. They can operate at any age, not just in childhood. The statement that best describes them is that protective factors buffer against risk and promote resilience. The other options miss this nuance: risk and protective factors do affect outcomes, aren’t limited to childhood, and protective factors don’t increase the probability of a disorder.