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For those of us on the Children & Family Programs team at World Relief Western Washington, there is nothing better than reconnecting with a past participant family who is thriving. I had this experience recently when I had the opportunity to reconnect with Ahmad, a child who participated in our summer camp for refugee children entering kindergarten. When I met him, he was barely able to sit for group activities or follow directions, so I was thrilled to have a full conversation with him and his little sister Mariam in English and hear how he is learning to read and loves school. His dad is working and his mom is progressing in her English lessons—clearly they are bouncing back after a tumultuous resettlement journey.
Understanding Risk and Protective Factors in Refugee Families
People who engage in research on building resiliency in families like Ahmad’s might refer to risk and protective factors. A risk factor is a family characteristic that may lead to harm, especially when families experience multiple compounding challenges. A protective factor is an attribute that helps families navigate difficult situations and supports healthy development in children. The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) identifies the following protective factors.
The Five Protective Factors That Strengthen Families:
- Parental resilience: Managing stress and functioning well when faced with challenges, adversity and trauma
- Social connections: Positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental and spiritual support
- Knowledge of parenting and child development: Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development
- Concrete support in times of need: Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges
- Social and emotional competence of children: Family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships
How Protective Factors Shaped Ahmad’s Success
Ahmad’s family has many of these protective factors—the parents have worked together to manage the stress of their resettlement journey and the trauma of displacement. They have supportive relationships with family and friends, are attentive and thoughtful parents, and have participated in World Relief’s programs to access community resources and assistance in reaching their goals. Because of the strong protective factors present in Ahmad’s family, he has learned to read, grown in confidence at school, and adjusted quickly to life in the U.S.
You can help families continue to access community resources, supportive programs, and guidance as they rebuild their lives.
Your generosity helps refugees and other immigrants in Western Washington build stability and hope. Will you walk alongside them?
We all have a part to play in supporting families. CSSP states that everyday actions can build parental resilience, like demonstrating that parents are valued, encouraging effective stress management, supporting parental decision-making and leadership, and honoring each family’s race, language, culture, history, and approach to parenting. What can you do today to support the families in your community? Offering an encouraging, supportive word, bringing a meal, playing a game with a child, or taking time to learn about the beauty of another culture’s parenting practices are all actions that go a long way toward building resiliency in children and families.
For more information on the Strengthening Families framework and the Protective Factors, visit Strengthening Families – Center for the Study of Social Policy and subscribe to our Resiliency Newsletter to hear more stories like Ahmad’s
Rosy Lancaster is the Early Childhood Programs Coordinator with World Relief Western Washington. She brings passion and expertise to supporting refugee and immigrant families as they navigate early childhood development, access community resources, and build resilience. Rosy loves hearing and sharing stories of growth, connection, and hope from the families she serves.