Which of the following is a social/environmental risk factor?

• A. Homelessness
• B. Regular medical care
• C. Stable housing
• D. Strong community ties

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is identifying social and environmental risk factors—aspects of a child’s surroundings that increase vulnerability to negative outcomes. Homelessness reflects unstable living conditions and limited access to essential resources like consistent meals, healthcare, and a safe environment. This instability can disrupt routines, schooling, and caregiving, heighten stress, and expose the child to unsafe circumstances, all of which raise the risk for developmental, health, and behavioral problems.

In contrast, regular medical care, stable housing, and strong community ties are protective factors. Regular medical care helps maintain health and catch issues early, stable housing provides safety and consistency, and strong community ties offer support and resources that buffer risk. So homelessness stands out as the social/environmental risk factor.