Promoting Positive Youth Development

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

Jean E. Rhodes, Ph.D.

Frank L. Boyden Professor

Department of Psychology

University of Massachusetts, Boston

1.Applying Research about Adolescence in Real-World Settings: The Sample Case.- Part I The Strengths of Youth: Self-Regulatory Capacities.- 2.Intentional Self Regulation in Youth: Applying Research Findings to Practice and Programs.- 3.The Regulation of Emotion in Adolescence.- 4.School Engagement, Academic Achievement, and Positive Youth Development.- 5.Building Hope for Positive Youth Development: Research, Practice, and Policy.- Part II The Contexts of Youth: Developmental Assets.- 6.Youth-Adult Relationships and Positive Youth Development.- 7.Peer Relationships and Positive Youth Development.- 8.Promoting Healthy Lifestyles through Youth Activity Participation: Lessons from Research.- Part III Positive Youth Development: Indexing Adaptive Developmental Regulations.- 9.The Five Cs Model of Positive Youth Development.- 10.Identity Development in Adolescence: Implications for Youth Policy and Practice.- Part IV Outcomes of PYD: The Impact of Adaptive Developmental Regulations.- 11.Promoting Contribution among Youth: Implications from Positive Youth Development Research for Youth Development Programs.- 12.Promoting Adolescent Sexual Health in Youth Programming: Implications of a Positive Youth Development Perspective.- 13.A Positive Youth Development Approach to Bullying: Promoting Thriving and Reducing Problem Behaviors.- 14.Afterword: On the Contributions of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development.