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Life and Career Skills 3: Strengthening
Sense of Self
Strengthening Protective Factors and
Minimizing/Managing Risk Factors
Experienced During Adolescence and
Early Adulthood
Learning Standards and Competencies
1. Content Standard: Learners demonstrate understanding of
the interconnectedness of developmental tasks, protective
and risk factors, sense of self, and health and wellness.
2. Performance Standard: Learners reflect on their personal
experiences as adolescents regarding developmental
tasks, protective/risk factors, sense of self, and wellness.
3. Learning Competency: Examine one’s sense of self
through understanding key developmental stages, tasks,
and protective and risk factors of late adolescence and
early adulthood.
Lesson Objectives
1. Describe various protective and risk factors experienced
during adolescence and early adulthood.
2. Explain how these protective factors and risk factors
influence one’s sense of self in this critical period of
development.
3. Apply intervention and strategies that strengthen protective
factors and reduce risk factors to enhance the sense of self
for personal development and well-being.
● The Teacher will prepare 10 slips of paper,
write various protective (5) and risk factors (5)
● The teacher will divide the class into small
groups (5), then each representative of the
groups will draw slips from the bowl.
● The representatives will bring the slips into
their respective groups and discuss whether
those are protective factors or risk factors
● Each group will share its discussion in front
of the class
Draw Lots and Discuss
What are Protective Factors?
Protective factors are positive influences,
strengths, or conditions that help adolescents
and young adults cope with challenges, make
healthy decisions, and develop a positive
sense of self.
Examples of Protective Factors
Protective
Factor
Description Positive Effect on
Sense of Self
Supportive
Family
Parents or guardians
who provide love,
guidance, and security
Builds confidence,
trust, and
emotional
stability
Positive
Friendships
Friends who encourage
good behavior and
healthy choices
Increases self-
esteem and
belongingness
Good
Communication
Skills
Ability to express
thoughts and
feelings
respectfully
Improves
relationships and
self-confidence
Healthy Lifestyle
Regular exercise,
balanced diet, and
enough sleep
Enhances physical
and mental well-
being
Academic
Engagement
Interest in learning
and participating
in school
Develops
competence and
self-worth
Positive Self-
Esteem
Recognizing one's
strengths and
accepting
weaknesses
Encourages
resilience and
confidence
Emotional
Regulation
Ability to manage
emotions effectively
Reduces stress
and impulsive
decisions
Problem-Solving
Skills
Finding appropriate
solutions to
challenges
Builds
independence
and responsibility
Strong Moral
Values
Having integrity,
honesty, and
respect
Promotes
positive decision-
making
Spirituality/Faith
Having beliefs
that provide
hope and
purpose
Gives emotional
support during
difficult times
Supportive
Teachers/Mentors
Adults who
encourage and
guide youth
Increases
motivation and
resilience
Safe Community
Living in a peaceful
and supportive
environment
Promotes security
and healthy
development
Financial Literacy
Knowing how to
budget and manage
money
Reduces future
financial stress
Time Management
Prioritizing tasks
effectively
Improves
productivity and
reduces anxiety
Access to
Healthcare
Physical and mental
health services
Encourages early
intervention and
wellness
What are Risk Factors?
Risk factors are conditions, behaviors, or
experiences that increase the likelihood
of emotional, social, behavioral, or
physical problems.
Risk Factor Description
Possible Effect
on Sense of Self
Family
Conflict
Frequent arguments,
abuse, or neglect
Low self-esteem
and insecurity
Peer
Pressure
Influence to engage
in harmful behaviors
Poor decision-
making and
identity
confusion
Examples of Risk Factors
Bullying
Physical, verbal, or
online harassment
Anxiety,
depression, and
low confidence
Social Media
Comparison
Comparing oneself
with unrealistic
standards
Body
dissatisfaction
and poor self-
image
Substance
Abuse
Alcohol, cigarettes,
vaping, or illegal
drugs
Addiction, poor
judgment, and
health risks
Academic
Stress
Pressure to achieve
high grades
Burnout and anxiety
Poverty
Limited financial
resources
Reduced educational
opportunities and
stress
Mental
Health
Problems
Anxiety, depression,
or emotional distress
Negative self-concept
and low motivation
Violence
Exposure to crime or
abuse
Trauma and
emotional instability
Risky Sexual
Behavior
Unsafe sexual
practices
Health risks and
emotional
consequences
Lack of Adult
Guidance
Absence of mentors
or parental
supervision
Poor life choices
Discrimination
Being treated
unfairly due to
gender, race,
disability, etc.
Low self-worth
Unemployment
Difficulty finding
work
Financial stress
and reduced
confidence
Internet
Addiction
Excessive gaming or
social media use
Isolation and poor
academic
performance
Poor Decision-
Making
Acting impulsively
without considering
consequences
Regret and
reduced self-
confidence
How Protective Factors Influence the Sense of Self
Protective factors help adolescents:
•Develop self-confidence.
•Build resilience during challenges.
•Maintain positive mental health.
•Form healthy relationships.
•Make responsible decisions.
•Discover their strengths and talents.
•Feel accepted and valued.
•Achieve personal goals.
Example
Maria receives encouragement from her
parents and teachers whenever she
struggles in school. Instead of giving up,
she works harder and believes in her
abilities. Her supportive environment
strengthens her self-esteem and
motivation.
How Risk Factors Influence the Sense of Self
Risk factors may cause adolescents to:
•Doubt their abilities.
•Experience anxiety and depression.
•Feel isolated or rejected.
•Develop unhealthy coping behaviors.
•Make risky decisions.
•Lose motivation in school.
•Have difficulty building relationships.
•Experience identity confusion.
Example
John experiences cyberbullying every
day. Eventually, he becomes withdrawn,
loses confidence, and no longer
participates in class because he fears
being judged.
Interventions and Strategies to Strengthen
Protective Factors and Reduce Risk Factors
Strategy Protective Factor
Strengthened
Risk Factor
Reduced
Build open
communication with
family
Family support
Family
conflict
Choose positive
friends
Healthy
relationships
Negative
peer
pressure
Participate in
sports and clubs
Self-confidence Social isolation
Practice stress
management
Emotional
regulation
Anxiety and
burnout
Seek counseling
when needed
Mental well-being
Depression and
emotional distress
Limit social media
use Positive self-image
Comparison and
cyberbullying
Exercise regularly Physical health Stress
Set realistic
goals
Self-efficacy Low motivation
Learn problem-
solving skills
Resilience Poor decision-
making
Practice
mindfulness
and relaxation
Emotional
stability
Anxiety
Attend life skills
seminars Confidence Risky behaviors
Volunteer in the
community
Purpose and
belonging
Isolation
Develop financial
literacy
Independence Financial
stress
Seek help from
trusted adults Support system Emotional
struggles
Avoid alcohol,
smoking, and
drugs
Healthy lifestyle
Substance
abuse
Processing Questions
1. How do you determine protective
factors and risk factors?
2. What makes certain factors
damaging (risk) and beneficial
(protective) to adolescents like you?
Establishing Purpose: What Shapes Me?
Activity Option 1: What Shapes Me?
1.Draw a circle in the center of a blank paper and
write 'ME'.
2. Around the circle, write/draw protective factors
(e.g., high aspirations, social skills, family
connectedness) and risk factors (e.g., family
conflict, delinquent peers, economic hardship).
Questions to answer:
1. What factors have shaped who you
are today?
2.How do these factors influence your
behavior, choices, and feelings?
Establishing Purpose: Group Discussion
Activity: Protective and Risk Factors Discussion
Categories:
a) Individual b) Family c) Community
1. Think and write protective and risk factors you
observe/experience in each category.
2.Note how these affect you.
Processing Questions:
1.What are the common shared factors in
class?
2.Have you experienced being in the
same situation? How do you handle
yourself?
3.Why are we learning about risk and
protective factors?
Understanding Self-Concept
Three Core Aspects of Self-Concept:
1. Self-Image: The view you have of yourself.
2. Self-Worth: How much value you have in yourself.
3. Ideal-Self: Who you really wish you were.
4. Related Concepts:
5. Self-esteem: Overall sense of self-worth.
6. Self-efficacy: Judgments of one's own abilities.
7. Self-awareness: Conscious awareness of thoughts, feelings, and traits.
8. Self-acceptance: Embracing strengths and weaknesses without
judgment.
Tips for Self-Improvement
1. 1. Focus on Self-Improvement: Constantly assess performance and
relationships.
2. 2. Get Feedback: Listen to comments and suggestions; be open to
constructive criticism.
3. 3. Recognize Cultural and Individual Differences: Accept your unique
culture, traits, and skills.
4. 4. Attend Skill-Building Programs: Participate in seminars, workshops, or
trainings.
5. Explore through tests:
6. • Rosenberg Self-Esteem Test
Developing Mastery: Exploration
1. Option 1: Personality Test Reflection
2. • Take a test (Rosenberg, Robson, or VIA).
3. • Reflect: Do the results describe you? What matches and what doesn't?
4. Option 2: How Others See Me
5. • Classmates write positive traits about you on paper.
6. • Questions: Do these describe you? How do you feel about their
observations?
7. Option 3: Identity Statements
8. • Complete: I am... / My strongest characteristic is... / People can depend on
Practical Application
1. Option 1: Self-Collage
2. • Create a collage about yourself and explain how it describes you and
influences your future.
3. Option 2: Career Quiz
4. • Visit: https://test2.thecareertest.org/v3
5. • Reflect: Do the results describe your interests? How do they help your
career choice?
6. Option 3: Growth Matrix
7. • List strategies (e.g., attending seminars, new hobbies).
Making Generalizations
1. Option 1: Strength-Building Recipes
2. • Write a 'recipe' for strengths (e.g., '2 cups of supportive friends, 1 tsp
mindful exercise').
3. Option 2: Letter to Future Self
4. • Write a letter about how you used character strengths to overcome
obstacles.
5. Option 3: This is Me
6. • Identify strengths/weaknesses in academics, relationships, and
personality.
7. • Create strategies to improve or accept weaknesses.
Creative Extension Tasks
1. Option 1: Social Media Campaign: 'I Like Myself'
2. • Create a 2-minute talk: strengths, traits, and why you like yourself.
3. Option 2: Influencers
4. • Name the people who shaped your life and how they influenced you.
5. Option 3: Festival of Strengths
6. • Group performance (Drama, TikTok, or Musical) showcasing signature
strengths.
Assessment - Part 1
1. 1. What term refers to an individual’s overall sense of self-worth?
2. A. Self-efficacy | B. Self-esteem | C. Self-image | D. Ideal self
3. 2. Which aspect of self-concept refers to how a person views themselves,
regardless of reality?
4. A. Self-worth | B. Ideal-self | C. Self-image | D. Self-efficacy
5. 3. What is the term for the person you really wish to become?
6. A. Self-image | B. Ideal-self | C. Self-acceptance | D. Self-worth
7. 4. Which of the following best describes self-efficacy?
8. D. Judging your ability to succeed in specific situations
Assessment - Part 2
1. 6. Which of the following best illustrates self-acceptance?
2. C. Embracing both strengths and weaknesses without judgment
3. 7. What is the core difference between self-worth and self-image?
4. B. Self-worth is about personal value; self-image is about perception
5. 8. A student who believes they can improve math skills through effort
demonstrates:
6. C. High self-efficacy
7. 9. Which is NOT one of the three core aspects of self-concept?
8. C. Self-awareness
Reflection
1. For Students:
2. • I can apply what I’ve learned by ______________.
3. • I will use my new knowledge through ______________.
4. • This learning will be useful when I ______________.
5. For Teachers:
6. • Reflection on effective moments, challenges, and future strategy changes.