Moving Toward Well-Being: The Role of Protective Factors in Violence Research

Research on violence has focused on risk factors and the negative consequences of victimization, often overlooking indicators of healthy functioning. Nonetheless, it is equally important to understand factors that may protect against experiencing victimization and that help build resilience across the life span once victimization has occurred. In this introduction to the special issue on protective factors, resilience, and violence, we consider how well the field of violence is actualizing the potential and promise of the science of resilience to move forward violence research, prevention, and intervention. Specifically, we review definitions of resilience and protective factors, outline how resilience science can enhance violence research and vice versa, and highlight ways in which research in this area can be expanded and improved. Then, we introduce the articles that follow in this special issue that take some important steps toward advancing our understanding of resilience.