Risk Versus Protective Factors: A False Dichotomy for Young African American Women

Background and purpose: Young African American women disproportionately face challenging obstacles due to systemic oppression’s omnipresence in society.  More specifically, those who live below the poverty line, typically reside in segregated communities characterized by high unemployment, crime, violence, failing schools, and minimal governmental assistance.  As such, these youths are more likely to face risk factors in their neighborhoods and schools, than their European American counterparts are. Despite the vast social, economic, and academic inequalities established by the systemic and intersecting forms of oppression, a body of research has proven that young African American women are resilient.   

The current body of risk and resilience literature both names and defines what constitutes a risk versus protective factor.  However, little to no scholarship examines the dynamic interplay between some risk and protective factors.  To fill that gap in the literature, this study labelled and described the interaction that occurs between some risk and protective factors, and their impact on the development of young African American women. 

Methods:  Narrative Inquiry was the qualitative approach applied so that participants could elaborate on how systemic oppression affects their lives, through the art of storytelling. Data collected included 24 in-depth interviews (two with each participant), 24 informal observations, five participant diaries, and a researcher journal. Each of the 12 participants identified as cisgender female and African American.  They were enrolled as either a junior or senior in high school, and their ages ranged from 16-19. To make participants aware of the study, fliers were created and stationed at various communal locales: 1) parks, 2) beauty salons, 3) libraries, 4) community centers, and 5) churches. Furthermore, word-of-mouth was utilized for recruitment. To deduce themes, all data was analyzed, compared, and contrasted on multiple occasions using ATLAS.ti. 

Results: Findings that emerged from this research contraindicated a dichotomized approach to risk and protective factors.   Rather, a push and pull took place, which caused factors to contain both risk and protective elements.  Unique to this study, is the finding that many factors cannot be dichotomized into simple ‘risk’ or ‘protective’ domains.  Instead, there were both attributes and drawbacks to the four following areas identified by participants:  1) single-supportive caregiver, 2) neighborhood, 3) school, and 4) peers.

Conclusion and Implications:  Much of the current literature on risk and resilience theory establishes a false dichotomy: risk versus protective factors.  By framing all risk and protective factors as separate entities, researchers and scholars alike, fail to account for the dynamic interaction that occurs, and its associated implications.  By taking a closer look at the interactive process that transpires between risk and protective factors, we can develop a more accurate understanding of how to equip young African American women, with the tools they need to overcome systemic oppression and achieve academic success.