Positive Youth Development

Origins, Research and Concepts

Prevention Research:

What predicts and prevents poor health

outcomes?

Risk Factors: Community

Availability of Drugs X XAvailability of Firearms X XCommunity Laws and Norms Favorable Toward Drug Use, Firearms, and Crime

X X X

Media Portrayals of Violence X XTransitions and Mobility X XLow Neighborhood Attachment and Community Disorganization

X X X

Extreme Economic Deprivation X X X X X

Subs

tanc

e Abu

se

Viol

ence

Scho

ol D

rop-

out

Teen

Pre

gnan

cy

Delin

quen

cy

Resiliency Research:

What explains success despite the odds?

Results of Resiliency Research

INDIVIDUAL TRAITS• Social Competence• Problem Solving Skills• Autonomy• Sense of Purpose, Belief

in a Bright Future

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAITS• Caring Relationships• High Expectations• Opportunities for

Participation

Youth Development Research:

What predicts and promotes thriving?

Search Institute’s The Origin of “Assets”

External AssetsExternal Assets• Support• Empowerment• Boundaries and

Expectations• Constructive Use of

Time

Internal AssetsInternal Assets• Commitment to

Learning• Positive Values• Social

Competencies• Positive Identity

Relationship of Assets to Relationship of Assets to Negative OutcomesNegative Outcomes

Percent of Teens

Number of assets

49

27

11

3

61

38

19

7

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

0-10 Assets 11-20 Assets 21-30 Assets 31-40 Assets

Alcohol UseViolence

Copyright © 2001 by Search InstituteCopyright © 2001 by Search Institute

Thriving Indicators by Asset Level

8%

25%

43%

59%

30%

52%

75%

93%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

Succeeds in School

Maintains GoodHealth

Risk and Protective Factors at Work

Protective Factors

RiskFactors

Positive Outcomes

National Research Council (2002)

Features of Positive Developmental Settings

Physical and Psychological Safety

Appropriate Structures

Supportive Relationships

Opportunities to Belong

Positive Social Norms

Support for Efficacy and Mattering

Opportunities for Skill Building

Integration of Family, School and Community Efforts

“Problem free is not fully prepared.

Fully prepared is not fully engaged.”

Karen Pittman

What is Positive Youth Development?

A philosophy or approach

that guides communities in the

way they organize programs

and supports so that young people

can develop to their full potential!

Key Principles of Youth Development

• Positive Outcomes

• Youth Voice

• Strategies Aim To Involve All Youth

• Long Term Involvement

• Community Involvement

• Focus On Collaboration

Traditional Approach

Positive Youth Development

Adapted from Karen Pittman

Participation

Preparation

Prevention

Intervention

Crisis

Shared Leadership