Definition
A developmental asset is an internal or external resource that assists any child or young person to achieve health and well-being, i.e., thrive.
Description
Developmental assets encompass a wide range of concepts such as relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities and can be explored at the level of the individual, family, or community settings such as schools. The term youth asset is also sometimes used when referring to older children and/or adolescents.
Much of the research related to developmental assets has taken place in North America, with an emerging evidence base regarding interventions.
Through the systematic collation of survey data across several decades, the Search Institute has identified 40 developmental assets which are subdivided into 20 internal and external assets (Benson, 2006; Scales & Leffert, 1999).
Cross-sectional studies from the Search Institute...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Benson, P. L. (2006). All kids are our kids: What communities must do to raise caring and responsible children and adolescents (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Fenton, C., Brooks, F., Spencer, N. H., & Morgan, A. (2010). Sustaining a positive body image in adolescence: An assets-based analysis. Health & Social Care in the Community, 18(2), 189–198.
Scales, P. C., & Leffert, N. (1999). Developmental assets: A synthesis of the scientific research on adolescent development. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.
Sesma, A., Jr., Roehlkepartain, E. C., Benson, P. L., & Van Dulmen, M. (2003). Unique strengths, shared strengths: Developmental assets among youth of color. Search Institute Insights & Evidence, 1(2), 1–13.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this entry
Cite this entry
Topping, C. (2014). Developmental Assets. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3444
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3444
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-0752-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-0753-5
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law