Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Measures of Positive Adult Behavior and Their Relationship to Crime and Substance Use

  • Published:
Prevention Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Drawing on diverse approaches to the study of youth development and adult functioning, as well as social capital and citizenship, this investigation identifies measures of positive adult behavior. Although prevention researchers study protective factors, as well as risk factors, for problem behaviors and other negative outcomes, less attention is given to positive behavior outcomes and there is little understanding of the relationships between positive and negative outcomes. Analyses included 765 participants from the Seattle Social Development Project interviewed at age 21. Seven measures of positive adult behavior were identified: volunteerism, group involvement, neighborliness, interpersonal connection, constructive engagement, financial responsibility, and honesty. Measures related to distal social relationships (group involvement and neighborliness) had relatively weak associations with crime and substance use. In contrast, the measures of constructive engagement, financial responsibility, and honesty had significant negative associations with multiple measures of crime and substance use. Results indicate that the seven measures provide relatively independent variables useful for assessing positive adult behavior. These measures can be used to assess positive outcomes in adulthood of intervention studies, or to assess the prevalence of positive adult behavior in different populations or groups.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • R. D., Abbott, R. F., Catalano, & Hawkins, J. D. (1991). Issues in the analysis of data from the SeattleSocial Development Project: Including intervention groups inetiological analyses. Unpublished technical report of SocialDevelopment Research Group, University of Washington, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ackerman, S., D. C., Zuroff, & Moskowitz, D. S. (2000). Generativity in midlife and young adults: Links toagency, communion, and subjective well-being. InternationalJournal of Aging and Human Development, 50, 17–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., & L. M., Horowitz (1991). Attachmentstyles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benard, B. (1991). Fostering resiliency in kids:Protective factors in the family, school and community. Portland, OR:Northwest Regional Educational Laboratories, Western Regional Center for Drug-Free Schools and Communities.

    Google Scholar 

  • C. K., Bens (1994). Effective citizen involvement: How to make ithappen. National Civic Review, 83, 32–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • P. L., Benson (1993). The troubled journey: A portrait of6th–12th grade youth. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • P. L., Benson, & C. D., Glickman (1997). All kidsare our kids: What communities must do to raise caring and responsiblechildren and adolescents. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • P. L., Benson, Galbraith, J., & Espeland, P. (1998). What kidsneed to succeed: Proven, practical ways to raise goodkids. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • P. M., Bentler (1993). EQS: Structural Equations Program manual.Los Angeles: BMDP Statistical Software.

  • Burchell, D. (1999). The disciplined citizen: Thomas Hobbes,neostoicism and the critique of classical citizenship. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 45, 506–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. V., Caprara, Barbaranelli, C., Pastorelli, C., Bandura, A., & P. G., Zimbardo (2000). Prosocial foundations of children’s academic achievement. Psychological Science, 11, 302–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development. (1989). Turningpoints: Preparing American youth for the 21st century. New York:Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Council on AdolescentDevelopment.

  • R. F., Catalano, Kosterman, R., J. D., Hawkins, M. D., Newcomb, & R. D., Abbott (1996). Modeling the etiology of adolescent substance use: A test of the social development model. Journal of Drug Issues, 26, 429–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • R. F., Catalano, M. L., Berglund, Ryan, J. A. M., H. S., Lonczak, & J. D., Hawkins (1999). Positive youth development in the UnitedStates. Research findings on evaluations of the positive youthdevelopment programs.Report to the US Department of Health and HumanServices, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning andEvaluation and National Institute for Child Health and HumanDevelopment. Seattle: Social Development Research Group, University ofWashington School of Social Work.

    Google Scholar 

  • R. F., Catalano, J. D., Hawkins, Berglund, L., Pollard, J., & Arthur, M. (2002). Prevention science and positive youth development: Competitive or cooperative frameworks? Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 230–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. B., Cattell (1966). The scree test for the number of factors. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 1, 245–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. D., Coie, N. F., Watt, S. G., West, J. D., Hawkins, J. R., Asarnow, H. J., Markman, S. L., Ramey, & M. B., Shure (1993). The science of prevention: A conceptual framework and some directions for a national research program. The American Psychologist, 48, 1013–1022.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. S., Coleman (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital . American Journal of Sociology, 94, 95–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. L., Comunian, & U. P., Gielen (1995). Moral reasoning and prosocial action in Italian culture. The Journal of Social Psychology, 135, 699–706.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devine, D., Kempton, T., & Forehand, R. (1994). Adolescentdepressed mood and young adult functioning: A longitudinal study. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 22, 629–640.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl, M., A. B., Elnick, L. S., Bourbeau, & Labouvie-Vief, G. (1998). Adult attachment styles: Their relations tofamily context and personality. Journal of Personality and SocialPsychology, 74, 1656–1669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, N., I. K., Guthrie, B. C., Murphy, S. A., Shepard, Cumberland, A., & Carlo, G. (1999). Consistency and development of prosocial dispositions: A longitudinal study. Child Development, 70, 1360–1372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. L., Ellickson, & R. M., Bell (1990). Drug prevention in junior high: A multi-site longitudinal test. Science, 247, 1299–1305.

    Google Scholar 

  • D. S., Elliott, B. A., Knowles, & R. J., Canter (1981). Theepidemiology of delinquent behavior and drug use among Americanadolescents. (The National Youth Survey Project Report No. 14,Vol. 1). Boulder, CO: Behavioral Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furman, A., & Erdur, O. (1999). Are good citizensenvironmentalists? Human Ecology: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 27, 181–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaidimas, L., Walters, S., & Silvernail, D. (1993). Maine’s common core of learning moves forward. Educational Leadership, 50, 31–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberger, E., & C. S., McLaughlin (1998). Attachment, coping, and explanatory style in late adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 27, 121–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. D., Hawkins, R. F., Catalano, & J. Y., Miller (1992). Risk andprotective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescenceand early adulthood: Implications for substance abuse prevention. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 64–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. D., Hawkins, R. F., Catalano, Kosterman, R., Abbott,R., & K. G., Hill (1999). Preventing adolescent health-riskbehaviors by strengthening protection during childhood. Archivesof Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 153, 226–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haynes, C., Leming, J., Groth, J., Lindquist, T., Lockwood, A.,Marshall, P., & Nickell, P. (1997). Fostering civic virtue:Character education in the social studies. Social Education, 61, 225–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 511–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J., Harrington, R., Fudge, H., Rutter, M., & Pickles, A. (1989). Adult personality functioning assessment (APFA): An investigator-based standardized interview. British Journal of Psychiatry, 155, 24–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J., Fudge, H., Harrington, R., Pickles, A., & Rutter, M. (2000). Complementary approaches to the assessment of personality disorder: The Personality Assessment Schedule and Adult Personality Functioning Assessment compared. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 434–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. J., Hindelang, Hirschi, T., & J. G., Weis (1981). Measuringdelinquency. Beverly Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, B., Kosterman, R., R. F., Catalano, J. D., Hawkins, & Abbott R. D. (2001). Modeling mediation in the etiology of violentbehavior in adolescence: A test of the social development model. Criminology, 39, 75–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbum, D. (1989). LISREL 7: Aguide to the program and applications(2nd ed.). Chicago: SPSS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kokko, K., & Pulkkinen, L. (2000). Aggression in childhood and long-term unemployment in adulthood: A cycle of maladaptation and some protective factors. Developmental Psychology, 36, 463–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. F., Krueger, B. M., Hicks, & McGue, M. (2001). Altruism andantisocial behavior: Independent tendencies, unique personalitycorrelates, distinct etiologies. Psychological Science, 12, 397–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kymlicka, W., & Norman, W. (1994). Return of the citizen: A survey of recent work on citizenship theory. Ethics, 104, 352–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. W., Larson (2000). Toward a psychology of positive youth development. American Psychologist, 55, 170–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. B., Lehning (1998). Towards a multicultural civilsociety: The role of social capital and democratic citizenship. Government and Opposition, 33, 221–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Massengale, T., & Michels, P. (2000). Civic organizing and the renewal of public education. Social Education, 64, 53–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • A. S., Masten, K. M., Best, & Garmezy, N. (1990). Resilience and development: Contributions from the study of children who overcome adversity. Development and Psycholpathology, 2, 425–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M. (1998a). Adult attachment style and affectregulation: Strategic variations in self-appraisals. Journal ofPersonality and Social Psychology, 75, 420–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M. (1998b). Adult attachment style and individualdifferences in functional versus dysfunctional experiences ofanger. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 513–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K. A., Moore, & Glei, D. (1995). Taking the plunge: An examination of positive youth development. Journal of Adolescent Research, 10, 15–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • N. H., Nie, Junn, J., & Stehlik-Barry, K. (1996). Educationand democratic citizenship in America. Chicago: University of ChicagoPress.

    Google Scholar 

  • K. J., Pittman, & W. E., Fleming (1991). A new vision:Promoting youth development. Written transcript of a live testimonyby Karen J. Pittman given before The House Select Committee onChildren, Youth and Families. Washington, DC: Center for YouthDevelopment and Policy Research.

  • R. D., Putnam (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capital. Journal of Democracy, 6, 65–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1985). Resilience in the face of adversity: Protectivefactors and resistance to psychiatric disorder. British Journalof Psychiatry, 147, 598–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 316–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. A., Ryan -M. (2000). Predicting positive youth developmentoutcomes using the social development model. Unpublished doctoraldissertation, University of Washington, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positivepsychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K. M., Sheldon, & King, L. (2001). Why positive psychology is necessary. American Psychologist, 56, 216–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. L., Stevens, & M. G., Allen (1996). Teaching public values: Three instructional approaches. Social Education, 60, 155–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • A. A., Stukas, Snyder, M., & E. G., Clary (1999). The effects of“mandatory volunteerism” on intentions to volunteer. Psychological Science, 10, 59–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. P., Thornberry, A. J., Lizotte, M. D., Krohn, & Farnworth,M. (1990). The role of delinquent peers in the initiation ofdelinquent behavior (Working Paper Series, No. 6). Albany, NY:University at Albany Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • B. E., Tonn, & Petrich, C. (1998). Everyday life’s constraints on citizenship in the United States. Futures, 30, 783–813.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uggen, C., & Janikula, J. (1999). Volunteerism and arrest in the transition to adulthood. Social Forces, 78, 331–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. General Accounting Office. (1993). Drug use measurement:Strengths, limitations, and recommendations for improvement. Reportto the Chairman, Committee on Government Operations, House ofRepresentatives. Washington, DC: Author.

  • van Lange, P. A. M., De Bruin, E. M. N., Otten, W., & Joireman J. A. (1997). Development of prosocial, individualistic, andcompetitive orientations: Theory and preliminary evidence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 733–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E., Werner (1995). Resilience in development. CurrentDirections in Psychological Science, 4, 81–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. V., Witvliet, T. E., Ludwig, & Vander K. L., Laan (2001). Granting forgiveness or harboring grudges: Implications for emotion, physiology, and health. Psychological Science, 12, 117–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. W., Wood, & Roach, L. (1999). Administrators’ perceptions of character education. Education, 120, 213–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynn, J., Richman, H., R. A., Rubinstein, & Littell, J. (1987).Communities and adolescents: An exploration of reciprocalsupports. Chapin Hall Center for Children, University of Chicago.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

    Rick Kosterman, J. David Hawkins, Karl G. Hill, Todd I. Herrenkohl & Richard F. Catalano

  2. Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

    Robert D. Abbott

  3. Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 9725 3rd Avenue N. E., Suite 401, Seattle, Washington, 98115

    Rick Kosterman

Authors
  1. Rick Kosterman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. David Hawkins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Robert D. Abbott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Karl G. Hill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Todd I. Herrenkohl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Richard F. Catalano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rick Kosterman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kosterman, R., Hawkins, J.D., Abbott, R.D. et al. Measures of Positive Adult Behavior and Their Relationship to Crime and Substance Use. Prev Sci 6, 21–33 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-005-1250-0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-005-1250-0

Search

Navigation