Protective Factors Assessment

Risk management in forensic and correctional populations has traditionally focused on decreasing risk factors for antisocial and aggressive behavior, without paying much attention to increasing protective, strength-based factors. A protective factor is any characteristic of an individual, his or her environment, or situation that reduces the risk of future adverse outcomes. In forensic work, the adverse outcome of interest is [Page 1131]often reoffending. Protective factors moderate or buffer the impact of exposure to risk factors, leading to a lower reoffending risk. This entry reviews the relevance of protective factors for risk assessment in correctional and forensic psychiatric populations, including juvenile offenders and sexual offenders. In a case example, the utility of protective factors assessment for building a positive risk management plan is illustrated.