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Promoting Positive Youth Development

Lessons from the 4-H Study

  • Book
  • © 2015

Overview

  • Synthesizes the longitudinal evidence base on positive youth development (PYD) Provides an overview of relational developmental systems theories
  • Examines leading theories of adolescent development that frame the PYD perspective
  • Describes the Five Cs (competence, confidence, connection, character and caring) model of PYD
  • Recommends policy innovations and programs as derived primarily from the 4-H Study of PYD
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development (ARAD)

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. The Strengths of Youth: Self-Regulatory Capacities

  2. The Contexts of Youth: Developmental Assets

  3. Positive Youth Development: Indexing Adaptive Developmental Regulations

  4. Outcomes of PYD: The Impact of Adaptive Developmental Regulations

Keywords

About this book

This book presents the results of the longitudinal 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. The volume discusses how self-regulation and contextual resources (e.g., strong relationships with parents, peers, and the community) can be fostered in young people to contribute to the enhancement of functioning throughout life. Each chapter examines a particular aspect of youth thriving, and offers findings on either the bases or the role of positive development in a variety of outcomes, from reduced risk of emotional problems and harmful behaviors to increased participation in the community. Contributors introduce a contemporary model of positive development for diverse youth, provide examples of effective youth development programs, and suggest applications for informing the next generation of policies and practices. Among the featured topics:

  • The regulation of emotion in adolescence.
  • School engagement, academic achievement, and positive youth development.
  • Peer relationships and positive youth development.
  • Identity development in adolescence and the implications for youth policy and practice.
  • Promoting adolescent sexual health in youth programming.
  • A positive youth development approach to bullying.

Researchers in developmental psychology as well as practitioners in educational or youth development programs or policies will gain from Promoting Positive Youth Development a new appreciation of the central role of young people's strengths, and initiatives to build effective youth programs.

“This volume is destined to become the handbook for anyone interested in the bourgeoning field of positive youth development. Based on ground breaking, longitudinal research from top researchers in the field, Promoting Healthy Development for America’s Youth presents a rich, theoretically grounded understanding of the landscape today’s youth and programs. The contributors provide

clear,data-driven guidance regarding the types of programs and settings that are most beneficial to young people.”

Jean E. Rhodes, Ph.D.

Frank L. Boyden Professor

Department of Psychology

University of Massachusetts, Boston

Reviews

“This book is both timely and relevant, as policy makers and individuals entrusted with the task of developing youth programs struggle with ways in which to promote positive youth development. … Researchers in behavioral sciences … and practitioners in guidance and youth developmental programs will find this book to be an extremely valuable reference guide. I highly recommend it as a necessary tool in the continuing effort to ensure that future youth development programs are grounded in evidence-based research.” (Michael S. Goldsby, Doody's Book Reviews, March, 2016)

“This is a chock-full, scholarly volume that might best be lodged in a research library. Among its greatest assets in addition to some valuable findings is that it includes extensive and valuable reference lists and many useful suggestions for future research, following onthe 4-H Study.” (Sherry Lynn Hatcher, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 61 (3), January, 2016)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Youth Development Leadership, Clemson University, Clemson, USA

    Edmond P. Bowers

  • Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA

    G. John Geldhof

  • Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, USA

    Sara K. Johnson, Lacey J. Hilliard, Rachel M. Hershberg, Richard M. Lerner

  • Dept. Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, USA

    Jacqueline V. Lerner

About the editors

Edmond P. Bowers is a Research Assistant Professor at Tufts University. He received his doctorate in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College. His research interests include a focus on important non-parental adults and the various ways that these adults can promote positive development in young people. G. John Geldhof is an Assistant Professor at Oregon State University. He received his doctorate in Quantitative and Developmental Psychology from the University of Kansas. His research interests include quantitative methods, positive youth development and models of self-regulation. Sara K. Johnson is a research assistant professor at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University. Her work integrates the study of positive youth development, civic engagement and identity development using mixed-methods approaches.

Bibliographic Information

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