Five Protective Factors are the foundation of the Strengthening Families Approach: (1) parental resilience, (2) social connections, (3) concrete support in times of need, (4) knowledge of parenting and child development, and (5) social and emotional competence of children. Research studies support the common-sense notion that when these Protective Factors are well established in a family, the likelihood of child abuse and neglect diminishes. Research shows that these protective factors are also "promotive" factors that build family strengths and a family environment that promotes optimal child and youth development.