Indirect Protective Factors: Positive Identity Formation

Pay attention to how your adolescent is feeling. Adolescents communicate through their behaviour. Acknowledge their feelings. Encourage him/her to talk to you whenever needed.

Help your adolescent find something to get involved in that gives him/her a sense of accomplishment and significance. Examples: academics, music, sports, art, technology and innovation, leadership (youth groups, school groups, etc.) Even if the adolescent is reluctant and appears resistant to the idea, help him/her find ways to feel successful.

Help your adolescent build his/her morality so he/she feels like a good person. Model these behaviours for your youth (such as responsibility, patience, kindness, honesty, generosity, and humility/modesty) as adolescents are highly sensitive to hypocrisy. He/She knows if you "walk the walk" or just "talk the talk." Acknowledge times when he/she demonstrates virtues.

Help your adolescent find a way to feel like s/he belongs. Examples may include: with peers at school, in extracurricular activities, youth groups, clubs, etc. This is especially important for adolescents who historically have had difficulty making friends. Their sense of belonging may not come from their peer group at school. It may need to be achieved elsewhere (outside of school at youth groups, extracurricular activities, etc.) This can be a challenge for some adolescents, but keep trying!

Create opportunities to spend special time with your adolescent engaged in activity (sports, movie, shopping, lunch, dinner, etc.) of his/her choice. One hour each week, every second week or even once a month will help build your relationship. Even if you are met with resistance, persevere as your adolescent will benefit just from knowing you care.

Sources: Sharon Cooper, Elianna Gil, Kenneth Lanning