When discussing risk factors, what category do macro level factors include?

Macro level factors refer to broader environmental influences that impact individuals and communities. These factors include societal, economic, and cultural elements that shape conditions in which people live and function. Wider community influences encompass aspects such as community resources, availability of services, social norms, economic stability, and the presence of support networks.

Understanding these factors is crucial for social work practice, as they offer insights into how external circumstances can affect individual and family wellbeing. For example, a community with limited access to healthcare resources or educational opportunities can create barriers for its residents, contributing to various risk factors for negative outcomes. Thus, focusing on these macro level influences allows social workers to address systemic issues and advocate for change that can lead to improved community health and resilience.

The other choices relate to more immediate or individual contexts, which do not encompass the broader societal aspects captured by macro level factors.