They are provided by many persons from different parts of a child's community. See the table on the next page for student responses to the 20 external assets. They are grouped into the categories of commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity. See the table on the next page for student responses to the 20 internal assets. Developmental assets are likely to be powerful in shaping the kinds of adults that young people become.
Protective factors are the same as assets.
Both terms describe elements of a social environment that should be in place if a young person is to develop in a positive direction. The table above shows the proportion of King County youth who reported having community, school, and peer-individual protective factors in their lives. The more protective factors King County youth have in their lives, the less likely they are to use alcohol and drugs. The same relationship is found statewide, though not shown here. They are conditions or events in life that may push youth towards risky decisions and behaviors and then harmful health outcomes, such as violent behaviors and alcohol abuse.