Promoting Positive Youth Development ― Lessons from the 4-h Study

This book describes the developmental, longitudinal evidence base for promoting positive development among the diverse youth of the United States and makes recommendations for policy innovations and youth development programs as derived primarily from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD) data set. The book begins with an overview of relational developmental systems theories, the contemporary cutting-edge theories of adolescent development that frame the PYD perspective and describes the specific model that guides this work: the Five Cs (competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring) model of PYD. This model is used to frame the subsequent sections of the book. As such, the book then examines the role of individual strengths, including intentional self-regulation, emotional regulation, school engagement and hopeful future expectations in promoting positive development.

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.