Resilience and protective factors in childhood: Understanding the relationship of positive health indicators to home, school, and community environment

Resiliency, optimism, curiosity and engagement in learning are elements of positive health development in children. Positive health indicators were newly included in the embargoed 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health (2011/12), which provides an opportunity to look at associations across demographic subgroups, and environments in which children live. National and state level positive health indicators prevalence will be calculated across a range of child subgroups and states. National and state-level prevalence of positive health indicators will be calculated based on the age-specific items (children 6 months-5 years: 4 items, and children 6-17 years: 5 items), in addition to analysis of a composite score for flourishing items. Flourishing items measure resiliency, attachment and connection with caregiver, curiosity and learning, and engagement in school. Demographic prevalence and child's health status, including presence of emotional, behavioral or developmental problems, will be explored for association with flourishing score. Examination of related factors, including parent-child interactions, adverse childhood experiences, school performance, and neighborhood safety and support, will provide a more comprehensive picture of children's health and well-being. Protective factors such as positive health development have been shown to correlate with school performance, social integration and overall mental/emotional health throughout a child's life. Understanding the relationship between protective factors and healthy development is essential to improving and constructing programs that promote the well-being of all children. The disparities between demographic subgroups and associations with home, school and neighborhood environments inform efforts to improve policy and program management to help children achieve healthy development across the lifespan.