If any one of these stressors is found, this could affect a child’s development and should be considered a red flag:

 

Parental Factors

► Misusing adult privilege

► Bullying behaviours

► History of abuse as a child

► History of domestic violence

► Severe mental health or physical health problems

► Chronic substance misuse

► Difficulty controlling anger or aggression

► Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem

► Lack of knowledge or awareness of child development

► A young, immature, or developmentally delayed parent

► History of postpartum depression

► History of crime or incarceration of parent/ guardian

► Low literacy

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Social/Family Factors

► Multiple partners

► Family breakdown and/or family violence

► Multiple births

► Several children close in age with little family/social support

► A special needs child

► An unwanted child

► Prematurity and low birth weight

► Personality and temperament challenges in child or adult

► Mental or physical illness, or special needs of a family member

► A series of losses in a short time frame

► Recent death of a parent/child

► Lack of a support network or caregiver relief

► Immigrant status, language barrier

► Experiencing discrimination because of race, culture

► Substandard shelter

► No fixed address over a time frame/transient

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Economic Factors

► Inadequate income

► Unemployment

► Lack of access to consistent medical care/no health coverage

► Business failure

► Debt

► Inadequate housing or eviction

► Change in economic status related to immigration

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