Below are a list of the factors that can reduce the likelihood that a young person will drink alcohol and/or drink heavily.
These are the factors we need to strengthen in our communities.
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Protective Factors |
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Individual |
Positive mental health Ability to resist urges or social pressures to drink Social and emotional competence in children (e.g. ability to trust, confidence in oneself and one’s ability to meet demands, the ability to take initiative) Negative (or less positive) attitudes to alcohol use and reasons for drinking Religious or spiritual engagement Active involvement in healthy recreational activities |
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Peers |
Positive peer role models in relation to alcohol use Negative peer norms towards drinking Lack of bullying amongst peers and others Having fewer friends with deviant behaviours |
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Family |
Pregnancy which is alcohol-free and substance use free Attachment to family Presence of caring and compassion from adults Family bonding and family time Parental harmony Lack of socio-economic deprivation Good child-parent communication Secure and health parent/child attachment Low parental acceptability of adolescent alcohol use Stable home environment Parenting competence (e.g., ability to listen, set reasonable expectations, monitor child’s activities and model healthy attitudes and behaviours) Parental supervision and monitoring Consistent and effective discipline Communication of healthy family values and expectations Supportive parenting (e.g. emotionally, cognitively, socially, financially) Family problem-solving and coping skills Helping children develop dreams, goals and purpose in life |
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School |
Attachment to school Positive teacher, learning and social connectedness Early addressing of learning disabilities Achievement at school Positive engagement with learning Healthy relationships with peers and teachers (e.g. lack of bullying) Low availability of alcohol through school sources (e.g. shoulder tapping) Low levels of alcohol use in the school |
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Community |
High quality of social support networks Strong community cohesiveness and ability to solve common problems (i.e. social capital) Strong cultural identity Low community tolerance to adolescent alcohol use Access to positive social, recreation and community activities Low levels of adult and adolescent alcohol use in the community Restrictions on the availability of alcohol (reduced outlets and trading hours) Adequate economic conditions (e.g. income, employment) Availability of quality housing Adequate working conditions Community members which reward adolescents for positive behaviour Low levels of crime, drug use and social disorder Positive neighbourhood reputation |
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Society |
Policies which increase the price of alcohol Restrictions in alcohol advertising and sponsorship Restrictions on the availability of alcohol (i.e. number of alcohol outlets) Reduced trading hours of alcohol outlets (bars, pubs, off-licences) Low levels of alcohol use in the country Low levels of income inequality High minimum purchase age of alcohol |