Human Development: Analyzing Risk and Protective Factors in Children

This report examines the risk and protective factors influencing human development, with a specific focus on children. It identifies the lack of sibling bonding and bullying by peers as key risk factors, which can negatively impact a child's self-esteem, values, and mental health. Conversely, the report highlights supportive sibling relationships and peers as protective factors that contribute to a child's positive development, including improved academic performance and social-emotional competence. The report references several studies to support its claims, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment for children to foster healthy growth and development. It suggests that parents and teachers should consider these factors to facilitate healthy growth.

Running head: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Description of risk factors of human development:
The importance of children perception of being safe at school and home and having a
supportive environment is crucial for shaping a child as a healthy adult. However, there are two
risk factors that were not mentioned by authors (Corcoran and Nichols-Casebolt, 2004). hinder
the healthy development and wellbeing. The first factor is the lack of bonding with siblings
which hinder the growth. Lack of proper bonding with siblings may give rise to jealousy,
competition and fighting between siblings that further give rise to sibling’s rivalry (Danaei et al.,
2016). It affects the wellbeing of a child and a child may adopt poor self-esteem and values
because he may feel he is getting unequal attention and responsiveness (Domitrovich et al.,
2017). It further hinders the proper development of values, confidence, and self-esteem. Another
risk factor is experiencing bully from peers in school. The bully in school by peer hinders
healthy development since children who are experiencing bully from peers are emotionally
affected and develop inferiority complex or insecurities, which further give rise to mental illness.
Description of protective factors:
As discussed by McLaughlin et al. (2015), strong bonding with siblings is acts as a
crucial factor for development since the infants remain close to their siblings mostly. Hence, they
started adopting discipline, values, and beliefs from their siblings. The adaptation often starts
right after birth. Strong bonding with siblings may boost self-esteem, empowerment and
improve academic performance (Domitrovich et al., 2017). Another protective factor is
supportive peers. Supportive peers help to adopt good values and discipline and result in
improvement of academic performance in infants. Hence, these things are required to consider
by parents and teachers for facilitating the healthy growth.

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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
References:
Corcoran, J., & Nichols-Casebolt, A. (2004). Risk and resilience ecological framework for
assessment and goal formulation. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 21(3), 211-
235.
Danaei, G., Andrews, K. G., Sudfeld, C. R., Fink, G., McCoy, D. C., Peet, E., ... & Fawzi, W.
W. (2016). Risk factors for childhood stunting in 137 developing countries: a
comparative risk assessment analysis at global, regional, and country levels. PLoS
medicine, 13(11), e1002164.
Domitrovich, C. E., Durlak, J. A., Staley, K. C., & Weissberg, R. P. (2017). Social‐emotional
competence: An essential factor for promoting positive adjustment and reducing risk in
school children. Child development, 88(2), 408-416.
McLaughlin, K. A., Sheridan, M. A., Tibu, F., Fox, N. A., Zeanah, C. H., & Nelson, C. A.
(2015). Causal effects of the early caregiving environment on development of stress
response systems in children. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(18),
5637-5642.