Page 53 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 53
Protective factors and encouragement of resilience growing up in a family with alcohol addiction and the importance of strengthening protective factors ... 53
Protective factors are an important counterbalance to the risk factors faced by
children from families affected by alcohol addiction. The main goal of reduc-
ing the probability of negative outcomes is to strengthen intrapersonal and in-
terpersonal (family, community) protective factors that affect children. These
factors can reduce the power of risks that are sometimes unavoidable for these
children (Goeke, 2017).
Working on protective factors also strengthens resilience, which is known
as something that enables the regulation of the negative effects of stress. It also
holds the ability to achieve positive outcomes despite living in a harmful envi-
ronment, especially by reducing threats regarding mental and physical health
(Park and Schepp, 2015; Redlin and Borchardt, 2019). A resilient individual will
also handle potential discrimination, shame and condemnation better, and at
the same time, will be able to take on the responsibility that the parent is una-
ble to (Redlin and Borchardt, 2019).
There are many possible protective factors. Having a secure and stable
home provided by the non-alcoholic parent, despite parental alcoholism, is
one of them. Regardless of the chaotic circumstances, the non-alcoholic parent
manages to consistently meet the child’s needs and maintain a balance with-
in the family (Hussong et al., 2008; Goeke, 2017). Siblings also play a very im-
portant role, where a healthy relationship and support make it easier for a child
to withstand the conditions at home (Edenber and Foroud, 2013; Goeke, 2017).
Engagement in a quality relationship with an adult, such as a teacher, coun-
selor, grandparent, uncle/aunt, neighbor, etc., outside the primary family also
provides an effective contribution. (Larson and Thayne, 1998). The child seek-
ing help and confiding in someone, thus realizing that they are not alone, is al-
so an important protective indicator (Haverfield and Theiss, 2014; Goeke, 2017).
An important role is also held by all the other positive relationships and experi-
ences that the child acquires outside the family, which can be encouraged with
extracurricular activities (sports, creativity, scouting) that offer children a re-
treat and an extra purpose in life (Larson and Thayne, 1998; Goeke, 2017).
A person’s individual development is often shaped by interactions they
have in their environment (Bronfenbrenner, 1989 v: Rodgers, 2009). The local
community also plays an important role in strengthening the protective fac-
tors by representing the child’s close environment outside the family unit; that
includes the neighborhood, schools, primary health center, or more general-
ly important people with whom the child comes into contact on a daily basis.
This environment also has the power to both strengthen and weaken the effects
of the stigma of parental alcohol addiction. The discussion and internalization
of knowledge about alcohol addiction as a disease, which expands to the wid-
er local community (school, primary health service, social service, non-gov-
ernmental organizations), is therefore a very important step towards the stig-
ma losing its power and towards a community in which children can feel more
Protective factors are an important counterbalance to the risk factors faced by
children from families affected by alcohol addiction. The main goal of reduc-
ing the probability of negative outcomes is to strengthen intrapersonal and in-
terpersonal (family, community) protective factors that affect children. These
factors can reduce the power of risks that are sometimes unavoidable for these
children (Goeke, 2017).
Working on protective factors also strengthens resilience, which is known
as something that enables the regulation of the negative effects of stress. It also
holds the ability to achieve positive outcomes despite living in a harmful envi-
ronment, especially by reducing threats regarding mental and physical health
(Park and Schepp, 2015; Redlin and Borchardt, 2019). A resilient individual will
also handle potential discrimination, shame and condemnation better, and at
the same time, will be able to take on the responsibility that the parent is una-
ble to (Redlin and Borchardt, 2019).
There are many possible protective factors. Having a secure and stable
home provided by the non-alcoholic parent, despite parental alcoholism, is
one of them. Regardless of the chaotic circumstances, the non-alcoholic parent
manages to consistently meet the child’s needs and maintain a balance with-
in the family (Hussong et al., 2008; Goeke, 2017). Siblings also play a very im-
portant role, where a healthy relationship and support make it easier for a child
to withstand the conditions at home (Edenber and Foroud, 2013; Goeke, 2017).
Engagement in a quality relationship with an adult, such as a teacher, coun-
selor, grandparent, uncle/aunt, neighbor, etc., outside the primary family also
provides an effective contribution. (Larson and Thayne, 1998). The child seek-
ing help and confiding in someone, thus realizing that they are not alone, is al-
so an important protective indicator (Haverfield and Theiss, 2014; Goeke, 2017).
An important role is also held by all the other positive relationships and experi-
ences that the child acquires outside the family, which can be encouraged with
extracurricular activities (sports, creativity, scouting) that offer children a re-
treat and an extra purpose in life (Larson and Thayne, 1998; Goeke, 2017).
A person’s individual development is often shaped by interactions they
have in their environment (Bronfenbrenner, 1989 v: Rodgers, 2009). The local
community also plays an important role in strengthening the protective fac-
tors by representing the child’s close environment outside the family unit; that
includes the neighborhood, schools, primary health center, or more general-
ly important people with whom the child comes into contact on a daily basis.
This environment also has the power to both strengthen and weaken the effects
of the stigma of parental alcohol addiction. The discussion and internalization
of knowledge about alcohol addiction as a disease, which expands to the wid-
er local community (school, primary health service, social service, non-gov-
ernmental organizations), is therefore a very important step towards the stig-
ma losing its power and towards a community in which children can feel more
