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The End of the Beginning: Evidence and Absences Studying Positive Youth Development in a Global Context

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Abstract

Relational developmental systems metatheory frames many contemporary models of human development, including two strengths-based approaches to enhancing the lives of diverse children and adolescents, the positive youth development (PYD) perspective and resilience science. Both approaches emphasize the potential for plasticity in human development, and the systematic changes that arise through mutually influential relations between the individual and the multiple, integrated levels of the dynamic developmental system. After discussing the similarities and differences in these two approaches, different models of PYD are discussed in relation to how descriptions, explanations, and attempts at optimizations of the development of diverse youth are enacted within these conceptions. The substantive and research challenges associated using PYD models to enhance the lives of diverse global youth are highlighted, and the implications for future PYD research in international settings, and specifically among poor youth developing within the majority world, are discussed.

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Funding

Funding for the present study was provided in part by grants from Compassion International and King Philanthropies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, Tufts University, 26 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Richard M. Lerner, Jonathan M. Tirrell & Elizabeth M. Dowling

  2. Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University, Waldo Hall, 2250 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    G. John Geldhof

  3. University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland

    Steinunn Gestsdóttir

  4. Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA

    Jacqueline V. Lerner

  5. Thrive Center for Human Development, Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 180 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101, USA

    Pamela Ebstyne King

  6. Compassion International, Colorado Springs, USA

    Kate Williams, Guillermo Iraheta & Alistair T. R. Sim

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  1. Richard M. Lerner
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Contributions

RML conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript; JMT helped conceive the study, participated in its design and coordination and helped to draft and proof the manuscript; ED helped conceive the study, participated in its design and coordination, and helped proof the manuscript; GJG participated in the design and coordination of the study, and helped proof the manuscript; SG participated in the design and coordination of the study; JVL helped conceive the study, participated in its design and coordination, and helped proof the manuscript; PEK helped conceive the study, participated in its design and coordination, and helped proof the manuscript; KW participated in the design and coordination of the study; GI participated in the design and coordination of the study; ATRS helped conceive the study, participated in its design and coordination, and helped proof the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan M. Tirrell.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

The preparation of this article was supported in part by grants from Compassion International and King Philanthropies.

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Lerner, R.M., Tirrell, J.M., Dowling, E.M. et al. The End of the Beginning: Evidence and Absences Studying Positive Youth Development in a Global Context. Adolescent Res Rev 4, 1–14 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-018-0093-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-018-0093-4

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