Risk and Protective Factors of Early Childhood Trauma

Early childhood trauma is extremely unique and complex for every child and family. However, research suggests there are several risk and protective factors, all of which are important to understand in early childhood trauma-informed work. Just because a child experiences a risk factor of trauma does not mean trauma is inevitable or inherent. Instead, risk factors should be identified so they can be mitigated to decrease the risk of trauma for young children. Similarly, these protective factors do not guarantee safety, but rather have been shown to promote resilience and buffer against risk factors and the trauma itself. Protective factors should be integrated into all trauma-informed work through the idea that all children and families are resilient and have unique strengths. 

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In thinking about and working with both risk and protective factors, it is vital to contextualize the trauma. Trauma is not linear and does not happen in a vacuum, but rather has roots in racism, classism, and public policy at large. In working to combat early childhood trauma we must take into consideration individual, familial, community, and systemic factors to avoid a deficit perspective of the child and their family.