Which of the following is identified as a protective factor against negative effects of exposure to violence?

Which of the following is identified as a protective factor against negative effects of exposure to violence?

• A. Regular exercise and a nutritious diet
• B. Structured extracurricular activities
• C. Intellectually stimulating high school classes
• D. The ability to declare independence from peers

Answer: (B)

When we look at resilience in adolescence, protective factors are those that help buffer the stress and potential harm from exposure to violence. Structured extracurricular activities stand out because they provide regular, supervised time with adults and peers in a positive setting. This creates social support, mentorship, and a sense of belonging, while also teaching coping, teamwork, and goal-setting. All of these factors reduce risky behavior, increase self-efficacy, and offer constructive outlets for stress, which together lessen the likelihood that exposure to violence leads to negative outcomes. Regular exercise and a nutritious diet are healthy habits that support overall well-being but don’t provide the focused protective structure and social supports that organized activities do. Intellectually stimulating classes help with academics, but they don’t inherently offer the same protective network. Having independence from peers can be important in some contexts, but it’s not a protective structure against violence exposure and can even reduce the supervision and support that mitigate risk.

When we look at resilience in adolescence, protective factors are those that help buffer the stress and potential harm from exposure to violence. Structured extracurricular activities stand out because they provide regular, supervised time with adults and peers in a positive setting. This creates social support, mentorship, and a sense of belonging, while also teaching coping, teamwork, and goal-setting. All of these factors reduce risky behavior, increase self-efficacy, and offer constructive outlets for stress, which together lessen the likelihood that exposure to violence leads to negative outcomes.

Regular exercise and a nutritious diet are healthy habits that support overall well-being but don’t provide the focused protective structure and social supports that organized activities do. Intellectually stimulating classes help with academics, but they don’t inherently offer the same protective network. Having independence from peers can be important in some contexts, but it’s not a protective structure against violence exposure and can even reduce the supervision and support that mitigate risk.