Certified Prevention Specialist CPS Practice Exam

What do factors identified by Hawkins and Catalano help counter, leading to decreased risk as more protective factors are present?

1. Vulnerabilities

2. Resilience

3. Adverse events

4. Risk

The correct answer is: Risk

The factors identified by Hawkins and Catalano are designed to counter risk by promoting protective factors in individuals and communities. These protective factors can include aspects such as strong family bonds, positive peer influence, and effective community resources, which work together to diminish the likelihood of negative outcomes, such as substance abuse or delinquency. When more protective factors are present, the overall risk for engaging in harmful behaviors decreases. The emphasis on decreasing risk aligns perfectly with the ideas presented in prevention science, where the focus is on identifying and enhancing factors that foster healthy development and well-being in individuals. By understanding and implementing strategies to strengthen these protective factors, communities can improve resilience and reduce the chances of adverse experiences influencing individuals negatively. The other options do relate to important concepts in the field, but they do not encapsulate the primary focus of countering risk, which is the essence of Hawkins and Catalano's work.