Risk and protective factors exist at every level at which an individual interacts with others and the society around him or her. The individual brings a set of qualities or characteristics to each interaction, and these factors act as a filter, coloring the nature and tone of these interactions-positive or negative. One way to organize these factors is by life domain. Specifically, six life domains in which interactions occur have been identified, as listed below. Within each domain, sub-domains of risk and protective factors have been identified through decades of research; these are listed in the parentheses below.

Individual (biological and psychological dispositions, attitudes, values, knowledge, skills, problem behaviors)

Peer (norms, activities)

Family (function, management, bonding)

School (bonding, climate, policy, performance)

Community/Society (bonding, norms, resources, awareness/mobilization, policy/sanctions)