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This study employed Rasch analyses to validate a novel measure of sport experience: the Sport Experience Measure: Children and Youth (SEM:CY). Analyses were applied to self-reported data of n = 503 young people (age 9–18 years, M = 12.91, 50% female) in Canada who were engaging in sport during the previous 12 months. The revised measure, consisting of 24 items on a 3-point response scale, demonstrated good fit statistics (e.g., item fit residual: M = −0.50, SD = 0.94 and person fit residual: M = −0.62, SD = 2.33), an ability to reliably discriminate between levels of sport experience, and an absence of differential item functioning for various groups (males and females, older and younger individuals, solo and team sports, and those playing at various competitive levels, including recreation). The SEM:CY is a succinct tool that can serve as a valuable means to gauge the quality of an individual's sport experience, which can facilitate positive youth development and sustain participation across the life span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Using the Five Cs model of positive youth development (PYD), this study aimed to provide a socio‐structural and cultural understanding of PYD in Indigenous Tayal youth by examining the specificity in the development of Five Cs (Competence, Confidence, Character, Caring, and Connection) between Tayal and Han youth in Taiwan. Methods: A sample of 847 Tayal and Han adolescents (43.8% Tayal, 47.9% girls, Mage = 14.83, SD = 0.50) were drawn from a larger study (September 2014 to August 2017). Adolescent participants completed questionnaires asking about their Five Cs, contribution behavior, and depressive symptomatology. Results: Measurement invariance was conducted to explore specificity between Tayal and Han youth's Five Cs performance. A bi‐factor Five Cs model was identified and partial metric and partial scalar measurement invariance was established between the two samples. Across both groups an overarching PYD factor, which was associated with increased contribution and lower depressive symptomatology, was identified. Specificity was observed in the Tayal sample, particularly relating to indicators of Competence, Character, Caring, and Connection. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide a sociocultural‐informed lens regarding the specificity of development in Tayal youth. Character, Caring, and Connection appear to contribute significantly more to the overall PYD for Tayal adolescents than their Han peers. Findings relating to Competence suggest that the educational environment may not be aligned with the learning style of Tayal youth. This study has policy and practical implications for Tayal youth, and can further help inform program development in Taiwan and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grit, defined as passion and perseverance to achieve long‐term goals, has been associated with adolescents' optimal academic and psychological functioning. However, the role of grit in adolescents' positive youth development (PYD)—characterized by the 5Cs known as competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring—remains unknown. Using latent cross‐lagged panel modeling, this study examined the longitudinal relations between the triarchic model of grit (TMG) dimensions (i.e., perseverance of effort, consistency of interest, and adaptability to situations), and the 5Cs of PYD while controlling for specific socio‐demographic covariates (gender, age, SES, and school type). Data were obtained from 1620 Filipino adolescents (Mage = 17.15; SDage = 1.00) in November 2021 and May 2022. Results show that grit dimensions predicted subsequent PYD dimensions, but not vice versa. Specifically, while perseverance and adaptability were linked to higher levels of competence, confidence, and character, consistency was associated with lower levels of competence and confidence six months later. Results highlight the importance of grit's dimensions in facilitating PYD characteristics among adolescents, especially efficacy‐related Cs (competence and confidence). Theoretical and practical implications in promoting adolescent thriving and well‐being are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review summarizes evidence regarding the impact of civic and community engagement of young people during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Recognizing that the global pandemic not only brought challenges but also new opportunities to take a stance and to actively engage in communities and society, this review assesses the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on young people's civic engagement across different cultural contexts and identifies key factors and processes that enable young people to engage with their community or society at large. We summarize evidence from 27 original research papers, one thought piece, and four reports conducted by global organizations such as the United Nations and OECD. Relevant research was conducted in the United States, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and New Zealand, addressing the development of leadership skills, civic responsibility, critical consciousness, civic and community engagement, as well as social integration. Key factors that facilitated civic engagement include national investments in online learning facilities, support for basic needs (such as education, health, and employment), and promotion and encouragement of local initiatives. The studies differed in their focus depending on the socio‐cultural context encountered and future research needs to consider cultural variations and different demands on young people to inform effective practices for supporting young people's active engagement in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of youth sport coaches to intentionally teach athletes values is often recognised as a critical pursuit throughout youth sport research. However, as coach education programmes and coach development systems seek to enhance the knowledge and skills of coaches, there is a need to investigate the effects that these initiatives have on coaching practices. The purpose of this multi-methods study was to investigate the effectiveness and perceived benefits of the Values and Principles in Sport (VPS) coach education course, specifically regarding values-driven coaching practices. Twenty-seven coaches and athletes from their teams (n = 85) participated in the study. Fourteen coaches attended the VPS course, which aimed to equip coaches with knowledge and skills for promoting values-driven coaching practices. Among this group, quantitative data were collected using a coach-centric systematic observation tool and an athlete survey, while qualitative data were collected through individual interviews with coaches and focus groups with athletes. Additionally, the 13 coaches who did not attend the VPS course – as well as athletes from their teams – were included in a control group and completed the quantitative measures. Quantitative results that are related to teaching values suggest that coaches who attended the VPS course did not perform better than those in the control group. However, the course did impact coaching style, suggesting high inter-individual differences in coaching styles (i.e., reserved, average, engaging, purposeful, and VPS-active). Qualitative results highlight that, among coaches who attended the VPS course, the course contributed to understanding and awareness related to teaching values in sport and the transfer of values outside of sport. Taken together, the study underscores the value of incorporating practical components in designing a VPS course, as well as the potential for individualising coach development pathways based on coaching style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religiousness has been proposed to promote prosociality among young people. Few investigations, however, have examined the underlying processes that facilitate these links, especially in non-Western and collectivistic societies. This study investigated the mediating role of the 5Cs (competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring) of positive youth development on the associations between religiousness, empathy, and altruism, while controlling for age and gender, among Southeast Asian emerging adults during COVID-19. Data were obtained from 1,888 emerging adults (M age = 21.85; SD age = 2.81) from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand. Structural equation modeling showed that confidence, connection, and character mediated religiousness and altruism while confidence, connection, character, and caring mediated religiousness and empathy, even after controlling for the covariates. However, confidence yielded negative relations with both outcomes. The results highlight the importance of distinguishing self-oriented and other-oriented thriving characteristics in facilitating empathy and altruistic behaviors in difficult situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity and sport (PAS) programmes are an important part of organized extracurricular activities for children and young people. They appear as potentially inclusive environments where students could be provided with holistic development based on active and healthy lifestyles. The aim of this study was to evaluate and describe the Gipuzkoa School Sport Programme (GSSP) from the positive youth development (PYD). The research was carried out based on CPAR (Critical Participatory Action-Research) methodology: a "CPAR group" was created -including researchers and policymakers- to carry out the evaluation of the GSSP in which we analyzed (a) the social environment or PYD climate and (b) life skills. The evaluation and description of the GSSP confirmed that it meets most requirements for providing positive development contexts and opportunities for PYD. The choice of prioritizing multisport and deliberate play and putting early specialization aside seem key conditions to ensure PYD-promoting environments. This work could serve as a referent for decision-makers in organizations dedicated to designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating PYD-focused extracurricular youth sport programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In resource‐limited settings in Colombia, there is a lack of safe spaces for youth, with adolescent males being 10 times more susceptible to physical violence than females. Acknowledging the potential of community‐led sports‐based interventions, we examined how community fútbol (a.k.a. soccer or football) coaches in the Caribbean region of Colombia prevent youth violence exposure. By conducting in‐depth qualitative interviews with 13 community coaches, we explore how fútbol, recognised as the world's most popular sport, serves as a space and tool for violence prevention. Our mixed methods study employs qualitative interviews and social network analysis (SNA). The findings reveal that the community's vulnerability, including familial violence and drug use, has detrimental effects on children. Community coaches, positioned as trusted figures, strive to positively influence youth by instilling essential life skills. However, they face challenges such as resource scarcity, limited institutional support and financial difficulties. The coaches express the need to balance adolescents' socioemotional development and the competitive nature of tournaments (olympism). Moreover, a disconnection between community coaches and NGOs utilising Fútbol for Development stems from differing aims. We argue that collaboration between these two groups holds ample opportunities for mutual benefit and enhanced youth impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camp-based reunification is a developmentally informed approach to strengthen the relationships of siblings in out-of-home care. Little is known about the collective impact of these programs, or if there is a benefit to multiple camp experiences. To address this, data were collected from 2,260 youth who were campers at one of 16 sibling reunification programs in the U.S. or Australia between 2013-2019. Increases in resilience, decreases in sibling support, and decreases in sibling conflict were observed among first-time campers. For repeat campers, changes to resilience were greatest during youths' first year of camp. Recommendations for research and practice are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper evaluated an electronic service-learning (e-SL) course utilizing regular and intensive delivery modes offered to undergraduate students in the 2020–2021 academic year. Methods: We collected pretest–posttest data (N = 130) and students' subjective evaluations of the course (N = 148) and the services they had provided (N = 160). Results: Students showed significant positive changes in both e-SL modes on positive youth development attributes, service leadership qualities, and life satisfaction, with greater changes among students taking the intensive mode. Students' views towards the e-SL course and the services they provided were positive, and students in the two e-SL modes did not differ significantly in their subjective evaluations. In addition, students' changes in outcome measures were positively associated with their subjective evaluations. Conclusions: The study provides additional support for the potential effectiveness of e-SL and suggests the promising application of intensive mode in implementing e-SL projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy implementation in municipal organisations is shaped by various policy frameworks and institutional structures that ultimately impact programming and service provision. The importance of youth development within recreation in municipal organisations in Canada is evident, but little research has focused on manager-level perspectives of youth development in the sector and the institutional factors that shape policy implementation therein. This research fills that gap by examining how youth development and associated policies are understood by managers in municipal recreation organisations (MROs). We used an instrumental case study methodology to examine the Province of Ontario, Canada and explore how youth development is understood in MROs, and how these understandings impact the implementation of policy related to sport and recreation. We draw from institutional theory to provide insight into how municipal organisations implement policy related to youth development. Our findings demonstrate the influence of the education sector on municipal recreation programming, how youth development is understood to occur through municipal work experiences, and the processes of involving youth in politics of municipal organisations, operations, and decision-making. We offer scholars and recreation practitioners a better understanding of the role of youth development in MROs and how policy related to youth development, sport, and recreation is implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality among adolescents. While traditional interventions have targeted specific health-risk behaviors (e.g., substance use, initiation of sexual intercourse, truancy, etc.), the evidence suggests that using a positive youth development (PYD) framework may have positive impacts across a number of domains. Friday Night Live Mentoring (FNLM) is a PYD-based, cross-age peer mentoring program that engages teams of older high school-aged youth to mentor teams of middle school-aged youth in a structured, ongoing, one-on-one relationship. While studies have demonstrated significant but small effect sizes of intergenerational youth mentoring programs in which an adult mentor is paired with the youth mentee, research on cross-age mentoring programs is limited. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate FNLM on its ability to improve participants' knowledge, attitudes, skills, opportunities to develop caring relationships, school engagement, and academic performance. Methods: A retrospective, pre–post survey was administered online to FNLM participants across 13 California counties. Participants rated their knowledge and attitudes about ATOD, skills, relationships with peers and adults, and academic indicators. Open-ended questions gathered information about participants' experiences in FNLM. Non-parametric related-samples Wilcoxon signed rank tests (an alternative to paired t-test) were used to compare pre–post differences. Participants were also asked two open-ended questions: "What are the best parts of FNLM?" and "What, if anything, would you change?". The responses to each question were reviewed, coded, and analyzed according to key themes. Results: A total of 512 participants completed the survey (287 mentors and 225 protégés). There were small but statistically significant improvements across all items for both mentors and protégés. Qualitative analyses showed that most mentors and protégés especially enjoyed getting to know and spend time with one another. Several mentors added that it was rewarding to be a positive influence on or to make a positive difference in the protégé's life. Many youth stated that the relationships formed, especially with their partner, and the activities were the best part of FNLM. The overwhelming majority would not change anything about the program. Those who provided recommendations for program improvement suggested more activities or more hands-on and engaging activities and more or longer meetings. Conclusion: FNLM actively engages youth and provides them with support and opportunities that promote knowledge, skill development, positive relationships, academic engagement, and success and raise awareness of the harms that the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) can cause. While ATOD use was low prior to program participation, it was significantly lower after participating in the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent–child co-participation has often been correlated with physical activity engagement levels. However, both new research and anecdotal evidence suggest that parent–child sport co-participation may provide developmental benefits for both parents and their children beyond simple rates of engagement. The aims of this scoping review were twofold: first, to gather the available research on parent–child co-participation in the sport context and identify how co-participation has been conceptualised in the literature, and second, to discuss the contexts in which parent–child co-participation has been investigated. Through this review, we found that co-participation has most often been conceptualised as either a predictor of physical activity or a one-dimensional outcome variable. A small number of studies have examined co-participation as a developmental process. Future research recommendations include examining co-participation in greater detail as a process, with the intent to further understand the developmental contexts of these sport and relationship environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the pervasive belief that sport can serve as a vital context for positive youth development (PYD), the associated empirical evidence to support these claims is less compelling. To advance the field, the purpose of this scoping review was to better understand how sport-based PYD researchers conceptualize PYD, and both operationally define and measure PYD outcomes. A final sample of 78 non-experimental, quantitative research articles involving 90,665 youth (Mage = 14.16 years) met inclusion criteria. Results revealed a wide and inconsistent array of (a) conceptual models and definitions for PYD, (b) constructs used to operationalize PYD, and (c) measures used to assess these PYD constructs. Only 38 of the studies (48%) explicitly conceptualized PYD using a formal definition and/or framework and there were a total of 243 unique operational definitions to represent PYD through sport (assessed a total of 632 times). In light of these findings, we offer a set of recommendations with the intent to strengthen future quantitative, sport-based PYD research. We believe that adherence to these guidelines carries the potential to enhance future theoretical and practical contributions, and help to better understand sport as a vehicle for positive development for youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWhilst both community sport coaches and youth workers use sport and physical activity to assist young peoples’ development, there is a lack of research related to any best practice that both fields may share. This study explored, through semi-structured interviews with eight workers with experience in both community sport and youth work, how practitioners identified best practice and interactions between the two fields relative to the use of sport. Results demonstrated that, when contextually applied, there are a number of significant parallels that can be drawn between the fields of performance sport coaching and youth work/community sport coaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework is a strengths‐based approach to adolescence that states that adolescents will thrive if nurtured by the right developmental assets. The family is one of the most important developmental assets, but studies about the relationship between family dynamics and the overall PYD of adolescents are scarce. Objective: The present study aims to examine the associations between five family dynamics indicators and PYD, while taking into account the role of gender. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was carried out with a representative sample of adolescents from the city of Huelva, Spain (n = 1,036). Data were collected in 14 randomly selected secondary education schools. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was tested to determine the effect of family dynamics on PYD, both for the whole sample and within each gender. Results: The SEM for the whole sample showed a positive effect of the family dynamics factor on the PYD factor, explaining 51.8% of its variance. The indicators of satisfaction with the relationship with the mother, satisfaction with the relationship with the father, frequency of engaging in joint family activities on weekends, and frequency of sharing daily occurrences at home showed factor loadings over 0.50, while the indicator of frequency of contribution to household chores had the lowest loading. The family dynamics factor in the model with the subsample of girls explained 54.8% of the variance in PYD, while in the SEM with the subsample of boys this factor explained 47.6% of it. Additionally, among girls, the relative influence of satisfaction in the relationship with the parents, as well as of frequently discussing the day at home, is higher than among boys. Conclusion: These results highlight a strong association between family dynamics indicators and PYD among adolescents and indicate that this relationship is stronger for girls than for boys. Intersectoral policies enhancing improvements in family dynamics (e.g., facilitating the practice of joint family activities on weekends) may have a relevant impact on PYD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a period of special significance for the development of personal and social values. Positive adolescent development (PYD) can be an ideal perspective from which to promote values in young people through their sports practice. The aim of the study was to adapt and analyse the measurement properties of the Values Scale for Positive Youth Development for use in the context of sport in young athletes. A total of 599 adolescents, competitors of different sports modalities, participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and invariance analyses were performed. The results confirmed a good model fit, with adjustment indexes (CFI, GFI and AGFI) above 0.90 and error (RMSEA and SRMR) below 0.08. The factor loadings above 0.50 were obtained for all items. Adequate reliability of the scales was also confirmed, between 0.72 and 0.89, and gender, age and sport invariance were confirmed. In conclusion, the analysed scale is a valid and reliable instrument with adequate psychometric properties, which makes it an appropriate assessment tool to be used in sports contexts, based on the positive adolescent development approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to determine the association between parental competence (warmth, demandingness, and parental education in fortitude and in privacy) and pornography use. Methods: This study presents cross-sectional data from an ongoing international study (YOURLIFE Project) about the opinions and lifestyles of adolescents with respect to affectivity, love, and sexuality. Adolescents (N = 2516) aged 12–15 from Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Spain were included. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to analyze the association between family assets (parental demandingness, warmth, and parental fortitude and privacy education) and pornography use. Results: The results indicated an association between parental warmth and pornography use among boys and girls. Furthermore, privacy education was highly associated with less pornography use only in girls. Parental demandingness and parental fortitude education were not associated with pornography use. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that new educational perspectives including privacy issues should be considered within programs for pornography use prevention among adolescents. Parents should incorporate these variables when discussing pornography with their adolescents and not only focus on filters or demandingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health problem is a growing problem in mainland China and the situation has worsened under the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides focusing on tertiary and secondary prevention strategies, there is an urgent need to enhance the well-being of adolescents through primary prevention programs. During the pandemic, a positive youth development program entitled "Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Program" was implemented in schools in mainland China. In 2022/23 academic year, students were invited to write a weekly diary on their experience about the program after completion of the program (N = 2,337). Qualitative evaluation showed that 98.2% of the students perceived the program was beneficial to their well-being in different domains. Specifically, students perceived the program enhanced their sense of community, school and academic adjustment, interpersonal relations (family relations and peer relations), and intrapersonal competence (including optimism, resilience, positive coping with stress, spirituality, life meaning and cherishing one's life). In conjunction with other quantitative and qualitative evaluation findings, the triangulated findings strongly suggest Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Program is a promising program that enhances the psychosocial competence and quality of life of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service-learning is globally recognized as an impactful pedagogical approach in higher education. This study reviews literature from the past two decades on university course-based, credit-bearing academic service-learning in the Chinese mainland. It reveals a steady growth in service-learning courses across all regions of the Chinese mainland since 2006, with fifty-two courses documented in the academic literature by 2023. The courses span various disciplines and service populations and have shown positive impacts on university students' cognitive skills, peer and community connectedness, development of self, disciplinary, and career identities, as well as social responsibility. The study observes the presence of heterogeneous research designs, incomplete reporting of course information, variability in writing styles, structure, and content across different journals and disciplines, indicating an early stage in the field's development. This underscores the need for systematic documentation of course designs and processes and outcome evaluation with research rigor. The paper discusses the implications for the local development of service-learning practices and the advancement of research in this domain in light of the growing global interest in this educational approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a strong body of literature underscoring the potential of sport programs to contribute to broad health benefits and positive youth development (PYD) for young people. However, benefits are dependent on a variety of factors including the purpose, structure and setting of programs. Justice settings provide potentially critical spaces for realizing the benefits of sport, but barriers in access among justice-affiliated youth persist, and little is known about programs in this setting. This paper describes a qualitative study exploring juvenile justice administrators' perceptions of programs in their facilities. We find that administrators believe their programs contribute to positive relationships and other important aspects of youth development. Further, programs provide opportunities to practice treatment skills and support re-entry. We conclude that while individual PYD features are reflected in administrators' perceptions of sport, programs also served a broader role for families, facilities, and communities with implications for social justice through sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) and its contributions to wellbeing are understudied among incarcerated youth. We used 2019 Minnesota Student Survey data to describe PA rates and test PA's associations with indicators of psychological, social, and perceived health for adolescents in juvenile corrections facilities (JCFs). Participants (n = 265, 29% female, mage = 15.4 years) self-reported days of $ \ge $ ≥ 60 min of PA in the previous week. They also reported how often they experienced joy and energy and built trusting peer relationships, as well as how they perceived their overall health and symptoms of anxiety and depression. We calculated descriptive statistics and tested PA's associations with psychological, social, and perceived health variables among the full sample, then stratified by sex, with unadjusted and age-adjusted models. Female and male youth averaged over 5 days of $ \ge $ ≥ 60 min of PA. PA was positively, significantly associated with experiencing joy and energy, building trusting peer relationships, and having better perceived health, though sex-related differences emerged. PA was unassociated with anxiety and depression. Results suggest PA rates are high in JCFs, though quality remains unclear. While PA is positively associated with certain developmental outcomes for incarcerated youth, PA alone seems insufficient for mitigating their mental health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The personal assets framework offers a lens to better understand the relationship between leadership in sport environments and the resultant (athlete) developmental outcomes. This investigation aimed to explore how leadership behaviors and the broader environment of a Super League netball club represented an effective context for athletes to flourish by exploring the interrelations between the personal assets framework's dynamic elements, namely (a) quality social dynamics, (b) appropriate settings, and (c) personal engagement in activities. Twenty-eight stakeholders were interviewed either individually or in small groups. The results revealed that the environment constructed was shaped by many interrelated mechanisms, and all stakeholders influenced how the dynamic elements intersected with one another. Key leadership behaviors driving the positive environment of the club were related to individualization and generating perceptions of value. The stakeholders' desire to understand the relationship between their individual contribution and Super League netball was also crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a period of special significance for the development of personal and social values. Positive adolescent development (PYD) can be an ideal perspective from which to promote values in young people through their sports practice. The aim of the study was to adapt and analyse the measurement properties of the Values Scale for Positive Youth Development for use in the context of sport in young athletes. A total of 599 adolescents, competitors of different sports modalities, participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and invariance analyses were performed. The results confirmed a good model fit, with adjustment indexes (CFI, GFI and AGFI) above 0.90 and error (RMSEA and SRMR) below 0.08. The factor loadings above 0.50 were obtained for all items. Adequate reliability of the scales was also confirmed, between 0.72 and 0.89, and gender, age and sport invariance were confirmed. In conclusion, the analysed scale is a valid and reliable instrument with adequate psychometric properties, which makes it an appropriate assessment tool to be used in sports contexts, based on the positive adolescent development approach.

In an afterschool program at a university literacy center, we piloted the integration of physical activity with multimodal mathematics and literacy exercises. We aimed to incorporate the three tenets of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) including academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness with middle grades participants by utilizing a sports-based youth development model (SBYD), Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR). Participants participated in 30-minute sessions bi-weekly over two months, which included reflective discussions and journaling to begin and end activities, respectively. Participants were invited to suggest activities during sessions and interact cooperatively with facilitators and peers. They also engaged in a focus group toward the end of the pilot program to provide their perspectives and feedback. We detail beginning takeaways from the program initiative and interrogate possible improvements and adaptations for other middle level settings. Finally, we aim to provide educational and community implications related to future implementations of this program or similar ones in diverse contexts.

Abstract Background Deviant behaviors are common during adolescence. Despite the diversity of juvenile delinquency, the patterns of deviant behaviors remain unclear in ethnic minorities. The present study aimed to evaluate the latent heterogeneity of deviant behaviors and associated factors in ethnic minority Yi adolescents. Methods The present study recruited a large sample of 1931 ethnic minority Yi adolescents (53.4% females, mean age = 14.7 years, SD 1.10) in five secondary schools in 2022 in Sichuan, China. The participants completed measures on 13 deviant behaviors and demographic characteristics, attitudinal self-control, and psychological distress. Sample heterogeneity of deviant behaviors was analyzed via latent class analysis using class as the cluster variable. Results The data supported three latent classes with measurement invariance by sex. 68.2%, 28.0%, and 3.8% of the sample were in the Normative, Borderline, and Deviant class, with minimal, occasional, and extensive deviant behaviors, respectively. The Deviant class was more prevalent in males (6.5%) than females (1.6%). There were significant class differences in domestic violence, school belonging, self-control, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Males, domestic violence, low school belonging, and impaired self-control significantly predicted higher odds of the Deviant and Borderline classes compared to the normative class. Conclusion This study provided the first results on three latent classes of deviant behaviors with distinct profiles in ethnic minority adolescents in rural China. These results have practical implications to formulate targeted interventions to improve the psycho-behavioral functioning of the at-risk adolescents in ethnic minorities.

Peer-led sport programmes can provide supportive social relations and opportunities for role modelling and identification. These features can support the inclusion of groups who usually do not participate in sport activities and provide an environment that fosters personal and social development. However, it is important to assess the implementation of peer-led activities to understand whether such potentials are fulfilled. Therefore, we investigated the quality of delivery of peer-led street sport activities implemented by the street sport organisation GAME. The study combined quantitative and qualitative observations. Peer leader practices were assessed quantitatively with 40 observation items scored on a Likert scale. In addition, qualitative observations could be noted on the observation form. We conducted 49 observations at 15 different peer-led street sport activities delivered in low-resource neighbourhoods. We compared peer leader practices with the intentions of the programme as described in the programme logic model and explored influences on delivery in the physical and social setting. Quantitative data showed that pedagogical competencies (‘role modelling’, ‘body language’ and ‘conflict management’) scored highest for quality of delivery. Sport instruction elements, particularly the categories ‘technique’ and ‘instruction’, scored lower. The qualitative analysis suggested that programme features and structure as well as the (mostly outdoor) community setting influenced the possibility of peer leaders for implementing the programme as intended. Peer leaders were often observed to function as role models, mostly in a prosocial manner, although role modelling was also observed to not support programme intentions. The study provided insight into some of the challenges in and potentials inherent to peer-led sport activities in the setting of low-resource neighbourhoods where youth peer leaders are responsible for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent-child interactions, which substantially impact children's psychosocial functioning, can be affected by caregiver adversity exposure. Considering that caregivers and their children often have divergent perspectives on their interactions, the current study included maternal- and child-reports of parenting practices and parent-child communication as indicators in a latent profile analysis. This study included 263 dyads comprised of children aged 8–17 (MAge = 12.13, SD = 2.77; 88.2% Black) and their female caregivers (MAge = 36.43, SD = 7.89; 82.9% Black) who were recruited based on caregivers' differing experiences with the SAVA syndemic (i.e., potentially harmful substance use, intimate partner violence (IPV), HIV, or none of these adversities). After identifying empirically-derived profiles of maternal-child interactions, we examined associations between these established profiles and children's external resilience resources. A three-class model emerged as the best fit: Concordant: Child/Mother Positive (C-PP; 73.4%), Discordant: Child Very Negative/Mother Slightly Negative (D-CN; 13.1%), and Discordant: Child Positive/Mother Negative (D-CP; 11.8%). Caregiver endorsement of SAVA syndemics did not predict class membership. Dyads with older children were more likely to be in the D-CN class, and dyads reporting lower SES were more likely to be in the D-CP class. Compared to children in the D-CN class, children in the C-PP class reported significantly higher resilience in school (Est. = −0.42, p = 0.006), community (Est. = −0.51, p = 0.001), and peer (Est. = −0.37, p = 0.004) contexts. No other class differences emerged. Findings highlight the importance of positive and consistent maternal-child interactions, which may help youth access a network of resilience resources that can promote healthy development and bolster well-being. Highlights: Most mother-child dyads agreed that their interactions, which included parenting practices and communication, were positive. When mothers and children agreed that their interactions were positive, children reported higher external resilience resources. Maternal SAVA (substance abuse, violence, AIDS/HIV) did not affect whether mother-child reports of parenting were concordant/positive. Older children were more likely to be in dyads with very negative child perspectives on parenting and slightly negative maternal perspectives. Mothers with lower SES were more likely to report negative views of their parenting, despite their children holding positive perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust research base documents a range of positive outcomes associated with organized sports participation, including a reduced likelihood of self-harm. Despite this work, no research to date considers whether the protective effects of organized sports participation might extend to another aspect of self-harm: digital self-harm. Digital self- harm, or the anonymous posting of harmful information about oneself on the internet, is the focus of a small but growing number of studies. Guided by previous research and theory, I used data from the 2019 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey to investigate whether organized sports participation influences adolescents' propensity to engage in digital self-harm. The results from the analyses suggest that organized sports participation is negatively associated with digital self-harm, with one's depressive symptoms attenuating a substantial portion of this influence. The findings from this study provide parents and other concerned parties with valuable information that may guide them in addressing this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twofold objective of this study was to examine the relationships between: (a) overall life skills and attitudes toward aggressive and violent behaviors outside of sport; and (b) specific life skills and attitudes toward aggressive and violent behaviors outside of sport. A sample of 84 university club sport athletes (Mage = 20.83, SD = 1.49) at a single mid-sized university in the United States completed an online survey. Data collection was conducted using the Life Skills Scale for Sport and Code of the Street scale (i.e., attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior). A series of 2-stage hierarchical multiple regression analyses, with attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior as the dependent variable, were performed for overall life skills and eight unique life skills. In stage one, gender and sport type served as covariates. In stage two, life skill(s) were added as the independent variable. Results indicate that overall life skills (β = -.329, p < .001) significantly and negatively predict club sport athletes' attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior outside of sport (R² = 0.420, p < .001). Similarly, emotional skills (R²model = .421, β = -.333, p < .001), time management (R²model = .378, β = -.256, p = .005), problem solving R2model = .410, β = -.320, p = .001), social skills R²model = .392, β = -.284, p = .002), teamwork (R2model = .397, β = -.291, p = .001), leadership (R2model = .413, β = -.316, p < .001), each independently made a negative and significant contribution to attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior outside of sport. However, goal setting (p = .094) and communication (p = .016) were not significant predictors. Considering the affinity between attitudes and behaviors, findings suggested that, for university club sport athletes, overall life skills and certain unique life skills may help inhibit aggressive and violent behaviors outside of sport. Such findings provide insight for administrators, coaches, and other stakeholders servicing the needs of university club sport athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that summer camps provide unique opportunities for positive youth development, due in part to the emotionally safe environments they can provide (Garst et al., 2016; Henderson et al., 2005; Sibthorp et al., 2010). Emotionally safe environments consist of “a combination of inclusion, belonging, trust, care, and the absence of bullying and exclusion” (Wong et al., 2022). Summer camp programs can also be emotionally safe places for young people to develop self-determination skills, while school may not provide the same safety, particularly for students with visual impairments (Garst et al., 2011; Opie, 2018; Sibthorp et al., 2010). This research utilizes a theoretical framework of positive youth development to investigate emotional safety for children with visual impairments at summer camp. This research on emotional safety was part of a larger mixedmethods study on self-determination at an educational sports camp for youth with visual impairments. Athletes and coaches at an educational sports camp for youth with visual impairments in the mid-Atlantic United States completed qualitative questionnaires regarding self-determination at camp. Five randomly selected athletes also participated in semi-structured interviews. Both questionnaires and interviews highlighted instances of meaningful adult interaction, emotional support, and inclusion throughout the week of camp. Additionally, the data resulting from questionnaires and interviews revealed that comfort in asking questions and relationships between athletes contributed to an emotionally safe environment. Limitations included low sample size, compounding impact of multiple years of camp attendance, differences between this camp and other similar camps, and familiarity of the researcher. The present study supports the prior research on summer camp, finding that low child-to-staff ratios, emotional support, and inclusion contribute to emotionally safe environments (Garst et. al, 2011; Henderson et al., 2005). Additionally, at a summer camp for youth with visual impairments, relationships between athletes and comfort asking questions supported emotional safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Youth violence, victimization, and bullying are pervasive in schools across the United States and are detrimental for learning and healthy development. K‐12 school safety is an increasingly urgent issue to research and understand from multiple perspectives. Physical and psychological safety in school is linked to better student and school outcomes and is fundamental to fostering well‐being and prosocial behavior. METHODS: Despite research demonstrating positive outcomes associated with school safety, there is no comprehensive conceptual model in the literature that considers precursors, strategies, mechanisms, and outcomes of school safety together. The current paper presents an equity‐centered comprehensive model of school safety, which is intended as a holistic representation of the multiple factors and pathways that contribute to school safety and positive youth development. RESULTS: This model can guide research and practice through an equity‐centered and comprehensive approach. This model can enable practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to make informed decisions and reach consensus regarding planning and decisions related to reducing violence and establishing supportive school environments. CONCLUSION: Our model suggests that a comprehensive approach can ensure the safety and well‐being of students and staff. By thinking ecologically, schools, communities, and stakeholders can ensure that all aspects of the school context are included in school safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth purpose was investigated using a two-phase embedded design with youth participating in Scouts BSA (N = 3,943), ages 9–20 (M = 14.0, SD = 1.9). Participating Scouts were mostly White (91%) and male (98%). In Phase 1, we conducted a two-step cluster analysis on Scouts' survey responses to three purpose dimensions (personal meaning, goal-directedness, beyond-the-self orientation). Four clusters emerged: Purposeful, Explorers, Dreamers, Nonpurposeful. In Phase 2, we explored qualities of purpose within each cluster and programmatic features and relationships within the scouting context fostering youth purpose with a Scout subsample (N = 30) who completed semi-structured interviews. Results demonstrated that adults supporting scouting, inspiration from older peers, and opportunities to help others and explore new activities supported youth purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative descriptive study examined the process of purpose development of nine (seven females, two males; M age = 20.2, age range 18–21 years) college students who completed interviews in fall 2017 and spring 2019 at a private university. Across the two time points, participants engaged in an iterative process that led them to refine (i.e., narrow or specify) or redefine (i.e., change or adapt) their purpose or ultimate aims. Participants used the time between interviews to restructure their purpose in a way that integrated their experiences until they believed their purpose was best aligned with their skills, values, and interests. More specifically, consensual qualitative research analysis revealed seven themes that suggested ways in which participants acted to refine and/or redefine their purposes: (1) clarifying definition of purpose; (2) engaging known strengths or skills; (3) exploring new activities or experiences; (4) identifying a beyond-the-self intention that aligned with their purpose; (5) discerning the fit between their passions and interests with their circumstance or plans; (6) determining whether their strengths and skills aligned well with their purpose; and (7) integrating their passions into their beyond-the-self intention. A supplemental theme was added that outlines researchers' observations about the features of participants' purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on data from a study of middle- to upper-middle class Scottish S2 (~seventh grade) students who participated in Inspiring Purpose, a school-based character development program, during the 2016 to 2017 school year. Directed by their teachers, participating youth reflected on values and future aspirations and researched and wrote about an inspiring person. We examine the hypotheses that youth who select a more proximal inspiring figure and/or make a personal connection with that person will demonstrate higher developmental outcomes in the areas of confidence, contribution, self-reflection, goal development, and self-concept. We connected 230 student posters of inspirational figures, 34 youth interviews, and 462 student surveys. Mixed-method analysis revealed students were more likely to describe proximal figures as inspiring and make explicit personal connections over the course of their engagement with the Inspiring Purpose program. Moreover, youth who made personal connections were more likely to score higher on confidence, general self-concept, and contribution. These results suggest that when youth see themselves in inspiring figures and firmly articulate this connection, this can spur beneficial developmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on interventions that aim to cultivate character strengths, or virtues, has been conducted primarily among highly resourced, predominantly White communities, and the interventions have been developed to reflect the values of those communities. The purpose of this study was to use a participatory action research approach to develop a virtue intervention focused on addressing the community-identified problem of violence in a predominantly Black community, and to test its effectiveness in a pilot study. Participants were 37 youth (M age = 12.1 years old; 97% Black) who attended summer programs in two sites (on intervention, one control condition). Participants in the intervention group had greater increases in effective nonviolent behavior than participants in the comparison group according to teacher report. Overall, the results of this pilot test suggest it is possible to build a feasible, attractive, evidence-based intervention to promote character strengths using participatory action research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Since youth should have a chance to interact with society and adapt to roles during adolescence, the media and positive development provide them with this opportunity. This study aims to determine the role of media literacy and positive youth development (PYD) components in social skills and academic adjustment. Methods: This descriptive study is conducted using multivariate correlation method. The statistical population includes high school students in Bandar Abbas. In total, 373 students (50.06% females and 49.04% males) are selected using random cluster sampling method in 2019-2020 academic year. The participants respond to Falsafi's media literacy questionnaire (2014), Arnold, Nott and Meinhold's positive youth development inventory (2012), Inderbitzen and Foster's teenage inventory of social skills (1992) and Baker and Siryk's academic adjustment questionnaire (1984). The data are analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Results: The results indicate media literacy components (understanding content, awareness of hidden goals, conscious selection, critical thinking and analyzing) and PYD (competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and contribution) are positively and significantly correlated with social skills and academic adjustment (P<0.01). Among the media literacy components, critical thinking plays the most important role in predicting social skills and academic adjustment. Among PYD components, contribution and competence play the major role in predicting social skills and academic adjustment, respectively. Conclusions: Therefore, media literacy and PYD could provide the ground for students' social skills and academic adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although prior research has exponentially investigated the robust linkage between authoritative parenting and adolescents? developmental outcomes, relatively scarce efforts have nevertheless been devoted to youth with different migration statuses particularly regarding their positive outcomes. In closing those gaps, the current study leveraged positive youth development perspective and simultaneously investigated the association between two conceptually distinct but empirically related authoritative parenting dimensions (autonomy support and warmth) and life satisfaction among adolescents with different migration statuses. Self-esteem was deliberately selected to deepen its conceptual understanding, and multi-group analysis was adopted to dismantle the commonality and specificity of those associations. We analyzed the unique data based on 1002 adolescents (Mage = 13.06, 50.4% girls), categorized into three groups: migrants (17.8%), left-behinds (23.2%), and non-migrants (59.0%). The results indicated that self-esteem partially mediated the positive relationship between authoritative parenting and life satisfaction. However, this mediation varied depending on the parenting dimension and migration status: significant for migrants and left-behinds in the context of parental autonomy support, and only for left-behinds regarding parental warmth. These findings offer a nuanced understanding of how different dimensions of authoritative parenting correlate with adolescents? positive developmental outcome in various migration contexts, providing valuable insights for designing supportive strategies and targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the validity of a set of social and emotional functioning constructs derived from the PYD short form (PYD‐SF) measure within a sample of children and adolescents with one or more mental health diagnoses related to social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Using repeated measures design, responses to the PYD‐SF and the Social‐emotional assets and resilience scale were collected over two years from 369 students enrolled in special education. Multilevel factor analyses parsed within‐person variability from between‐person differences to understand the internal consistency of the target measures when used with clinical and special education populations. Associations between the social‐emotional constructs from the PYD‐SF and an assessment of social‐emotional assets and resilience were examined. A two‐level confirmatory factor analysis using seven PYD factors and the Social‐Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale indicated a very good model fit; all factor loadings were statistically significant at both levels. Results supported the validity and internal reliability of the social‐emotional constructs from the PYD‐SF measure for assessing the social and emotional competencies of youth with social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges, but with the caveat that researchers should consider a higher degree of specificity when using it with youth from this population. The broad factors utilized in previous work should be reframed to emphasize separate types of connection. When keeping this revised framing in mind, the social‐emotional constructs of the PYD‐SF measure provide a tool for teachers, parents, and clinicians to use in treatment planning and identifying strategies to support positive development for diverse youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the intersecting experiences of perceived racial discrimination, poverty-related stress (PRS), and civic efficacy with psychological functioning in preadolescents. The sample consisted of 129 low-income, racially and ethnically diverse preadolescents. Hierarchical linear regression analyses found that perceived racial discrimination and PRS were associated with greater psychological problems, as reported by parents and youth. High levels of both perceived racial discrimination and PRS together resulted in even higher psychological problems, as reported by parents. Lastly, civic efficacy significantly moderated the relationship, where higher civic efficacy in the presence of both discrimination and PRS was associated with fewer psychological problems. In conclusion, these findings suggest that considering both stressors as intersecting rather than additive stress may better explain the mental health disparities among low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. Additionally, empowering resources, such as civic efficacy, may promote positive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Life satisfaction is an important aspect of quality of life and plays an essential role in optimal developmental adaption in adolescence. This study investigated whether being active in organised leisure sports is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction among adolescents, both directly and indirectly, through increased body appreciation. Whether gender moderates the mentioned associations will also be examined. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and based on a sample of 541 participants (44% females) between 16 and 19 years of age (M age=16.89 years, SD =0.46). A moderated mediation model was examined using SPSS v27 and the PROCESS macro. Results: Boys had higher life satisfaction and body appreciation levels than girls did. There was no direct effect of organised leisure sports participation on life satisfaction. However, there was a positive association between organised leisure sports participation and life satisfaction through increased body appreciation. No gender differences were observed for the direct association between sports participation and life satisfaction or the indirect associations between sports participation and life satisfaction through body appreciation. Conclusions: Our findings support that body appreciation is a mediator for the association between organised leisure sports participation and life satisfaction for both boys and girls. Longitudinal studies should be conducted to further examine if causal relationships exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Historical trauma and cultural loss resulting from colonialism have contributed to educational and health disparities among Pacific youth. Recognizing the protective factors is essential for mitigating disparities and enhancing the overall well-being of these youth. Objective: This review provides evidence about the current state of youth development among Pacific youth. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature published between 2010 and 2020, including the fields of education, social, psychological, and medical sciences. We employed qualitative data analysis of 35 peer-reviewed studies. Results: The majority (69%) of the studies focused on program interventions among 10–19-year-old youth at-risk primarily in New Zealand among Māori (51%) and in the U.S. among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (46%). Health interventions were common in Hawai'i, while the New Zealand studies focused more on measuring youth resilience. Among the three outcomes identified, health/well-being was the most studied area, followed by social-emotional, and cognitive development. The outcomes suggest mainly positive effects on health and well-being, socio-emotional, and cognitive development related to Pacific youth. Conclusions: While the last decade has seen a growth of culturally anchored programs, more research is needed to account for wider social, economic, and political dynamics that impact youth development, which was largely unaccounted for in the extant studies. There is a need for broader developmental frameworks that would, first, align with the context and culture of the youth's community, and second, expand our horizon of the developmental patterns as they occur in diverse sociocultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated how social environmental factors (i.e., supportive behaviors of coaches and parents) are associated with thriving in sport amongst a youth population, influencing important outcomes of sport participation (i.e., intention to continue sport and subjective well-being in sport). Two-wave data was collected within a three-month time span to help determine the relationship of social environmental factors with intention to continue and subjective well-being. One hundred fifty-nine Japanese youth sport participants (Mage = 15.81) completed the questionnaires twice. Autonomy supportiveness of coaches and parents was positively related to thriving three months later. In contrast, only the relationship between autonomy support from coaches and thriving was mediated by the change in basic psychological need satisfaction. Moreover, autonomy support from coaches was related to intention to continue sport and subjective well-being in sport through the changes in basic psychological needs satisfaction and thriving individually and in sequence. The results indicate the importance of both the parent and coach in the role of nurturing the young athletes, while the influence was more robust for coaches. The findings indicate a need for stakeholders to focus on educating and promoting their role in creating supportive environments aimed at increasing retention and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol consumption among young people is a significant public health concern. Previous studies have indicated that participation in sports, through the positive experiences it offers, may function as a protective factor against alcohol intake. This study aimed to examine the influence of enjoyment and personal fulfillment on adolescent alcohol use, exploring the role of engagement with sports as a mediating variable. Methods: A total of 370 adolescents (mean age = 15.08; SD = 1.48) participated in the study and completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, the Enjoyment in Sports Scale, and the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire. Results: The results demonstrated that enjoyment is related to lower alcohol consumption through personal fulfillment and engagement in sporting activity. Conclusions: It is crucial to facilitate positive experiences in sport that promote engagement and generate a sense of personal fulfillment, as these factors may reduce the likelihood of risky alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deviant behaviors are common during adolescence. Despite the diversity of juvenile delinquency, the patterns of deviant behaviors remain unclear in ethnic minorities. The present study aimed to evaluate the latent heterogeneity of deviant behaviors and associated factors in ethnic minority Yi adolescents. Methods: The present study recruited a large sample of 1931 ethnic minority Yi adolescents (53.4% females, mean age = 14.7 years, SD 1.10) in five secondary schools in 2022 in Sichuan, China. The participants completed measures on 13 deviant behaviors and demographic characteristics, attitudinal self-control, and psychological distress. Sample heterogeneity of deviant behaviors was analyzed via latent class analysis using class as the cluster variable. Results: The data supported three latent classes with measurement invariance by sex. 68.2%, 28.0%, and 3.8% of the sample were in the Normative, Borderline, and Deviant class, with minimal, occasional, and extensive deviant behaviors, respectively. The Deviant class was more prevalent in males (6.5%) than females (1.6%). There were significant class differences in domestic violence, school belonging, self-control, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Males, domestic violence, low school belonging, and impaired self-control significantly predicted higher odds of the Deviant and Borderline classes compared to the normative class. Conclusion: This study provided the first results on three latent classes of deviant behaviors with distinct profiles in ethnic minority adolescents in rural China. These results have practical implications to formulate targeted interventions to improve the psycho-behavioral functioning of the at-risk adolescents in ethnic minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aims to explore the relationship between youth participation in community development and positive youth development using the 5C framework. The study used a cross-sectional design. In this study, 138,874 youth ages 15–29 participated in three selected sites using a multistage sampling method. A quantitative survey using a Likert scale questionnaire was administered to 593 randomly selected youth. The data were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. The results indicate that economic, social, and political participation in community development contributes significantly to the positive development of youth. The study confirms the vital role of youth participation in community development in the selected zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Positive Youth Development (PYD) is a strength-based perspective that focuses on the resources to promote a successful transition to adulthood, derived from the Relational Developmental Systems theory. In this line, the Developmental Assets (DA) model focuses on describing the personal resources (Internal Assets) and contextual resources (External Assets) that help to reach PYD. Most research from this approach has been carried out in United States and, to a lesser extent, in the European continent. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the evidence collected for the DA model in Europe. Methods: Web of Science database was used to search for articles published between 2013 and February 2024. Initially, there were 55 possible articles to be included, but after applying the exclusion criteria, this number was reduced to 11. Results: The findings suggested that the evidence for DA in Europe was in line with North American research, so that a higher presence of DA was related to higher well-being, better psychological adjustment, and lower risk behaviors. Internal Assets were the most influential assets, with the Positive Identity category being especially remarkable. Commitment to Learning and Social Competencies were also highlighted in the studies included in the review. Concerning External Assets, Positive Boundaries-expectations and Empowerment were emphasized as protective factors in youth development. These assets were found to present a protective effect against risk behaviors and were positively associated with PYD and socioemotional skills. Discussion: Thus, these findings support the applicability of the DA framework in promoting PYD in European context, and some intervention strategies are discussed considering cultural diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Over one‐third of US adolescents engage in health risk and problem behaviors. Additionally, significant percentages of problem‐free youth aren't flourishing. Left unaddressed, the lifetime mental/physical health and financial burdens may be substantial. Social‐Emotional Learning (SEL) and Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs have proliferated to address the drivers of adaptive versus risk behaviors. Research suggests SEL/PYD program outcomes can be improved by adding techniques that physiologically induce calmness, yet few studies exist. Methods: This randomized controlled trial of 79 urban eighth‐graders examined a standardized bio‐psycho‐social program, SKY Schools, which incorporates a physiologically calming component: controlled yogic breathing. Results: Repeated‐measures ANOVAs demonstrated that compared to controls, SKY graduates exhibited significant improvements in emotion regulation, planning and concentration, and distractibility. After 3 months, significant improvements were evidenced in emotion regulation, planning and concentration, identity formation, and aggressive normative beliefs. Conclusion: SEL/PYD programs may benefit by incorporating biologically‐calming techniques to enhance well‐being and prevent risk/problem behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research increasingly suggests that positive youth development programmes play an important part in preventing youth violence and promoting positive developmental trajectories. We conducted a focussed ethnography of LOVE, a social development programme aimed at supporting youth who have been exposed to violence. Building on a previous study's exploration of this programme's afterschool setting, we examined the programme's social functioning in school settings. Findings underline the role of playfulness—alongside an egalitarian/friendly approach, gentle authority/structure, strengths‐based support and a safe space to express vulnerability—to foster in youth the ability to feel free, confident/empowered, connected/empathic and positive feelings about school and life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness need tailored prevention programming to prevent unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This study evaluated the efficacy of a small-group, future-oriented positive youth development (PYD) intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors. Youth aged 14–19 (n = 483) experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness were recruited at youth-serving agencies and in alternative schools. Each cohort enrolled was randomized either to a 10-session, 5-week group future-oriented intervention to support them in adopting health-promoting behaviors such as using contraception, including condom use (n = 244) or to a no-treatment condition where they received usual services/schooling (n = 239). We assessed at baseline and 3-month and 9-month follow-up (1) vaginal intercourse without consistent contraception use, (2) vaginal and anal intercourse without consistent condom use, and (3) sexual risk behaviors, including current (last 3 months) effective contraception use by females who did not report current use at baseline. There was no significant difference between treatment and control conditions for most outcomes. However, among females not currently using contraception at baseline, 34% in the treatment condition compared to 12.9% in the control condition reported using contraception in the 3 months before the 9-month survey, a statistically significant difference. This sexual risk reduction intervention, grounded in PYD theory and tailored to address the needs of marginalized groups of youth, demonstrated efficacy at increasing contraceptive uptake among females. The need for PYD interventions that can be delivered in a variety of nontraditional school and service settings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]