Millions of dollars are spent annually on research to reduce risky and problem behaviors in youth. Conversely, far less has been directed toward research promoting positive development -- particularly in at-risk youth.
The May 2008 special issue of the Journal of Adolescent Research reports the results of nearly two decades of research at the Miami Youth Development Project (YDP), a community-supported positive youth development program of outreach research.
The research published by SAGE in the special issue draws on a perspective called Developmental Intervention Science (DIS) -- a fusion of the literatures of both developmental and intervention sciences. This approach suggests new directions for developing affordable youth interventions that are not only highly cost-effective but also meet the needs of both the community and its youth. The key concepts of the DIS approach include:
Community supported interventions that meet youth and community needs
Developing affordable and sustainable interventions in "real world" settings
Targets risky and problem behaviors while promoting positive self development
Research that aims to promote both short and long term life course changes
"The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP) represents watershed work in developmental science," observe leading researchers in human development Richard Lerner and Willis Overton in their commentary on the issue. "This special issue of Journal of Adolescent Research gives developmental scientists and the youth they seek to understand a potent example of how researchers can transcend the confines of conceptual reductionism and reliance on a single methodology to help enhance the lives of the diverse young people of America."-SAGE Publications
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
