Reducing risks and building developmental assets: essential actions for promoting adolescent health

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Developmental Psychology
• Community Health

Background:

• Developmental assets are foundational for youth success.
• Previous research indicates a link between assets and behavior.
• The framework's scientific basis requires examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss research on developmental assets and youth behavior.
• To examine the scientific foundations, reliability, and validity of the developmental assets framework.
• To present asset-building as a component of healthy communities and a complement to interventions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of aggregate data from nearly 100,000 6th-12th grade students across 213 US communities.
• Review of research findings presented at the 1998 American School Health Association conference.
• Discussion of the scientific underpinnings of the developmental assets framework.

Main Results:

• Building specific developmental assets correlates with lower risk behaviors in adolescents.
• Increased developmental assets are associated with higher thriving behaviors among youth.
• The developmental assets framework shows promise for promoting adolescent well-being.

Conclusions:

• Developmental assets are essential positive building blocks for youth.
• Asset-building strategies contribute to adolescent well-being and healthy communities.
• This framework complements existing risk reduction and treatment approaches for youth.