Child Psychology Commons^™

Uplifting Youth Voice Through Multi‑Level Features To Make A Splash For Positive Youth Development, Sylvia Y. Gutierrez, Kellie A. Walters, Jayne A, Fulkerson, Nancy Sherwood, Eydie Kramer-Kostecka

Journal of Youth Development

This study explored how a multicomponent health promotion program for pre-adolescent girls could be adapted to support positive youth development across diverse cultural and community contexts. In summer 2022, trained research staff conducted six focus groups with 27 girls from urban and rural communities in the Midwestern United States. Participants reviewed the original program curriculum and provided feedback on program activities, structure, relationships, and implementation strategies. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using qualitative software and manual review. Girls provided feedback on multiple program components, resulting in 12 themes aligned with eight established features of positive developmental …

Beyond The Page: Transmedia Storytelling To Promote Gedsi Among Youth, Clara Evi Candrayuli Citraningtyas, Gita Widya Laksmini Soerjoatmodjo, Isti Utami, - Supriyanto, Slamet Budiharjo

Journal of Youth Development

This article presents the results of an applied experimental study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a transmedia storytelling approach in increasing youth understanding and awareness of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) issues. The study involved 198 young people aged 17–25 years who were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, with a pre- and post-test design to measure changes in attitudes and understanding. The intervention was done to the experimental group through a series of participatory activities: transmedia storytelling modules, quizzes, participatory games, and focus group discussion. The results showed an increase in GEDSI understanding and awareness …

How Adults Can Bridge The Trust Gap With Youth, Dana Mitra, Ghadir Al Saghir, Ashley Boat, Jerusha O. Conner, Samantha Holquist

Journal of Youth Development

Research has established positive relationships and trust as cornerstones for successful youth-adult partnerships (YAPs), yet limited work addresses how to sustain struggling partnerships, particularly in low-trust environments. Using an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods design, this study first quantitatively affirmed the importance of strong teacher-student relationships as precursors for the formation of classroom YAPs (known here as Student Voice Partnerships or SVPs). Subsequent qualitative data explains that youth define these relationships through the lens of trust, actively assessing adults to determine their trustworthiness—a process aligning with concepts of discernment and calculation. Drawing on organizational trust and relational resilience frameworks, this study offers …

Afterschool Program Attendance And Academic Outcomesin A Vermont District, Hans W. Cabra Hernandez

Journal of Youth Development

Afterschool programs can bridge opportunity gaps by providing children with venues for learning and cultivating socioemotional skills. This paper examines the relationship between attendance in afterschool programs in a Vermont school district and two academic outcomes (the Scholastic Reading Inventory/SRI and the EasyCMB math test) using cross-sectional data from Spring 2018. Using multivariate regression analysis, this study found a positive association between afterschool program attendance and academic achievement on these tests. Moreover, the findings indicate the persistence of socioeconomic academic disparities. While the study’s design does not permit causal claims, the results suggest that afterschool programs are a valuable resource …

Relationships Matter: External Factors Influence High School Completion Among Black Young Adults, L. B. Simmons, Shawn Jones, Sepideh S. Soheilian, Chelsea Williams

Journal of Youth Development

To identify whether and how contextual (i.e., spiritual, educational, and cultural contexts) and relational (i.e., physical and psychological caregiving) resilience influence high school completion among Black young adults, the team conducted logistic regression and moderation analyses. The interaction between contextual resilience and relational resilience revealed that at higher levels of relational resilience, increased contextual resilience is associated with an increased likelihood of high school completion. Importantly, the findings also suggest that at lower levels of relational resilience, increased contextual resilience is associated with a decreased likelihood of high school completion among Black young adults. Themes emerging from this study highlight …

4‑H Efforts Toward Demographic Representation, 1980–2025: A State‑Of‑The‑Art Review (Part 1), Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Jeff Wayne Howard

Journal of Youth Development

This state-of-the-art review synthesizes 45 years of scholarship (1980–2025) to assess how effectively the 4-H program has worked to serve a demographically representative youth population. Drawing on academic and gray literature (n=99) sources, the review traces 4-H’s evolution from its segregated land grant origins to contemporary efforts focused on access, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It documents progress in culturally responsive programming and national diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) initiatives while highlighting persistent disparities in participation and benefit distribution. The review identifies effective strategies, enduring structural barriers, and areas where research and practice remain limited, offering a comprehensive foundation for understanding 4-H’s …

Youth Engagement With Rural School & Community Institutions: Implications For Future Orientation, Hannah Falcone, Cindy L. Hartman, Jayson Seaman, Andrew D. Coppens, Kate Moscouver

Journal of Youth Development

Rural youth in the United States have long demonstrated a consistent pattern of outmigration from their rural communities, often driven by aspirations for higher education and specialized careers available elsewhere. This qualitative study explores the positive youth development (PYD) experiences of youth in rural New Hampshire, focusing on how schools, community engagement, work, and experiences in nature shape their development and future orientation. Eighteen youth ages 14–19 participated in online interviews. Data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive strategies, including the application of the Developmental Systems Model of PYD. Four key themes emerged: (a) rural schools are a central …

Table Of Contents, Journal Of Youth Development

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Fostering Developmentally Nurturant Relationships To Promote Character And Thriving: Perspectives Of Program Practitioners In Rural South Africa, Jonathan M. Tirrell, Alexa Hasse, Margaret Mackin, Elizabeth Dowling, Kirsten Olander, Roya Abbasi-Asl, Katherine Mcconnel, Thobeka Kwela, Raah Msimango, Justine Mccarthy-Martin, Tyler Howard, Angela Larkan, Richard Lerner

Journal of Youth Development

Developmentally nurturant relationships are fundamental to enabling children to thrive across contexts, including homes, schools, and communities. Such relationships are also a central feature of effective positive youth development (PYD) programming. As strengths-based PYD programs are increasingly being adopted in majority-world countries, a better understanding of how to foster and promote developmentally nurturant relationships is needed. As part of the Thanda Study of Character and Health, we interviewed 15 program practitioners about their understandings of and approaches to fostering developmentally nurturant relationships with children enrolled in Thanda programs in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Phenomenological analysis indicated that practitioners’ understanding of …

Partners In Pilgrimage: Transforming The Journey Of Adolescence By Guiding Teenagers Toward Faithful Lives, Redefining Success, And Cultivating Connection To God, Abigail R. Weaver

Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses

Adolescence is a formative period in which young people seek meaning, identity, and belonging while navigating a complex array of cultural, social, and developmental pressures. In suburban American contexts, these pressures are intensified by competitive academic environments, demanding extracurricular commitments, and pervasive societal expectations that equate worth with achievement. Drawing from my experience as a youth minister in suburban United Methodist churches, this dissertation examines how such forces shape the spiritual and personal development of 15- to 18-year-olds and explores the Church’s role in guiding adolescents through this landscape with wisdom and care.

Grounded in the Christian tradition and informed …

Cross-Cultural Differences In Academic Pressure, Anxiety, And Sleep Quality Among High-Achieving Students In The United States And South Korea, Yumi Choi, Brett Zollinger, Jisook Park

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study examines cross-cultural differences in academic pressure, anxiety, and sleep quality among high-achieving students in the United States and South Korea. As academic success becomes increasingly competitive in both countries, students often face significant psychological and physiological challenges. This research investigates how differing educational systems and cultural expectations influence levels of academic pressure and their subsequent impact on anxiety and sleep quality.

Data were collected from high-achieving high school students in both countries using standardized measures, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Comparative analyses were conducted to identify differences in perceived …

Silent Cries: Analyzing The Psychological Profiles Of High School Shooters, Kayla Martinez

Posters - 2026

• School shootings have become a recurring event for the past couple of decades in the United States
  • high school has the most exposure to these shootings
• Shootings can cause serious trauma and various mental health issues in the students and staff who survived (as well as communities)
• Protocols put in place seem to only be reactive rather than proactively identifying and preventing the occurrence
• Most people overlook the previous behaviors of the shooters

Enhancing Academic And Religious Values Through Literacy: An Ethnographic Qualitative Study In A Hindu Student Community, Ni Komang Sutriyanti, I Wayan Widiana, Ni Luh Ika Windayani, I Gede Wahyu Suwela Antara

The Qualitative Report

This study explores the influence of Indonesia's school literacy initiative program, also known as the school literacy movement (SLM), on academic achievement and religious character formation among Hindu students at Bali Mandara State High School. The SLM’s effects within Bali’s predominantly Hindu community provide a perspective on how literacy initiatives intersect with cultural and religious education in a largely Muslim country. The objective of the study was to assess the transformative impact of the SLM on both educational outcomes and character development, specifically examining its alignment with Hindu teachings. A qualitative approach was employed, with data collected through semi-structured interviews …

Analyzing Methods To Support Students Left Behind In Colorado Primary/Secondary Schools, Grace Hudson

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

In the United States, there has been an increase of deportations, since 2024, of undocumented immigrants. This has disproportionally affected Mexicans and others from Latin American countries (Dreby 2012) due to them being the largest group of undocumented people in the United States. One effect of these deportations is an increase in children that are left in the United States while their parent(s) are in detention or have been deported. Some of these children are in mixed-status families, which means that the child has a different citizenship status than their parents or other members in their family, which allows for …

From “Scared” To “Empowered”: Lived Experience Of Out-Of-School Youth In The Philippines, Sheilalaine G. Romulo

Journal of Youth Development

In the Philippines, marginalized youth (e.g. out-of-school) are mostly excluded from civic engagement. This study explores how 5 young Filipino leaders, once out-of-school, navigated a community-based alliance with adults. The lifeworld of these young leaders is accessed through a phenomenological interview guided by Max van Manen’s phenomenological method. Their lived experience tells a transformative journey of being scared youth to becoming empowered young leaders who have found their voice after overcoming insecurities, fear of exclusion, and being misunderstood. It can also be gleaned from their lived experience how the adult partners may have contributed to their transformation. This article recommends …

Launch Skills: Virtual Career Camp Connects Rural Youth To Diverse Career Pathways, Caroline Homan, Meagan Hoffman

Journal of Youth Development

Rural youth often encounter persistent barriers in career and workforce readiness, including limited access to career exploration resources, mentorship, and post-secondary exposure, challenges that are compounded by geographic isolation and higher rates of rural poverty. To address these gaps, this manuscript describes the development and implementation of Launch Skills, a virtual career camp designed to broaden rural youths’ awareness of career pathways within food, agriculture, natural resources management, and human sciences (FANH). Grounded in Positive Youth Development principles, Launch Skills was collaboratively developed by North Dakota State University Extension and South Dakota State University Extension to provide flexible, accessible, and …

Volume 21.1, Spring 2026

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Civic Engagement On Filipino Youth During The Pandemic: The Role Of Social Networking Sites For Social Capital Building, Ma. Glenda Wui, Katrina Yuzon, Joane Denise Alliah Axibal, Gel Christian Llames, Enrique Niño P. Leviste

Journal of Youth Development

This study examined the civic engagement of Filipino youth (N=14) volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anchored in the asset-based framework of Positive Youth Development, the study discussed the critical role of civic engagement in enhancing the well-being of youth during the pandemic. It also analyzed the role of Social Networking Sites (SNS) in building social capital for civic engagement. Through in-depth interviews, the study examined the impact of the participants’ engagement on their lives, and how they confronted challenges related to civic work. Thematic analysis of the interview data yielded four themes: personal challenges during the pandemic, coping with the …

Love, Support, Good Vibes: Unconditional Positive Regard And Lgbtqia+ Youth After-School Stories, M V. Pease, Maggie Brooks, Wilson Lazo-Salmeron, Ayushi Sarkar, Halle Ho-Yee Shen, Sharon Colvin

Journal of Youth Development

LGBTQIA+ youth face high rates of identity rejection and bullying, creating an urgent need for support and affirmation within oppressive societal structures. School environments can uniquely support LGBTQIA+ youth through after-school programming designed to provide positive community experiences. Using qualitative thematic analysis of personal stories from LGBTQIA+ youth (N=94), we examined what LGBTQIA+ youth envision as ideal support within after-school programming. Our analyses, informed by humanistic psychology principles, revealed eight major themes: good vibes, compassion and empathy, non-judgment and acceptance, multidimensional human connection, safety, proxy for home/family, adults and mentors, and altruism. Results indicate the need for warmth, safety, connection, …

Community-Based Programming And Ecological Resilience In Vulnerable Youth: A Mixed Methods Study, Alicia Mcvarnock, Leanna M. Closson, Meg Ternes, Nichole L. Cole

Journal of Youth Development

This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study aimed to provide a deeper understanding regarding ecological resilience theory among adolescents and emerging adults engaged in community-based programming. Phase 1 participants were 18 Leave Out Violence Nova Scotia Youth Leaders and alumni aged 16 to 31 (M_age = 24.28, SD = 3.75; n = 10 female). Semi-structured interviews were used to examine participants’ past and present experiences with Leave Out Violence Nova Scotia, with a focus on perceptions of resilience in their lives. Results were analyzed through mixed (inductive and deductive) thematic analysis. In Phase 2, a focus group assisted in developing a …

Differences In Student Basic Need Satisfaction Across University Community Service Offerings In Vietnam, Myles Lynch, Nguyen Lam Phuong, Duong Ngoc Anh, Huy Ngoc Vu, Hoang Quang Thang

Journal of Youth Development

In 2018, the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) made experiential learning a mandatory component of general education in an effort to enhance student skills pertaining to career and professional success. Community service, as a form of experiential learning, can enable individuals to apply knowledge and skills to address societal challenges beyond classroom settings. The availability and effectiveness of structured community service-learning programs vary across Vietnamese universities. Using Basic Needs Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness), a sub-theory of Self-Determination Theory, this study examined differences in Vietnamese student need satisfaction based on availability of community service courses, providing insights into program …

Evaluating Youth Programs With Intention: Integrating Developmental Research For A Youth-Centered Approach, Brittany Hite, Tiffany Berry, Evangelia Theodorou, Michelle Sloper

Journal of Youth Development

Conducting applied research or program evaluations in youth settings requires a unique combination of expertise. Although evaluation approaches provide general guidance on how to conduct high-quality evaluations, they rarely provide specific guidance on how to engage in evaluation with organizations serving youth. Fortunately, the field of youth development provides extensive information about how youth develop, facilitators of and influences on youth development, and important considerations for collecting data from this population. This paper provides an approach to evaluation that integrates youth development research. By integrating this literature into their evaluation practice, the authors identified two underlying principles (contextual sensitivity and …

Improving Agent Retention By Documenting The Impact Of 4-H In Kentucky, Ken Culp, Kimberly Ragland, Tori Stanton, Katherine L. Thompson

Journal of Youth Development

The purpose of this study was to improve agent retention by documenting the positive impact that 4-H agents were making by identifying the most effective program delivery methods in Kentucky. This could help agents prioritize their time, emphasizing high-impact activities. Agents indicated that while one year of 4-H makes the greatest impact, 10 years’ membership is ideal. The most impactful delivery methods were clubs and camps. The most important life skills developed in 4-H were communication, leadership, and community service. Club programming includes all highly valued core experiences identified in this study (leadership opportunities, community service, and communication).

A Review Of Teaching Storytelling In Classrooms And Communities, Kimberly Allen

Journal of Youth Development

Storytelling has long been a powerful tool for self-expression, community building, and social change—yet educators often struggle to integrate it meaningfully into their curriculum. Teaching Storytelling in Classrooms and Communities: Amplifying Student Voices and Inspiring Social Change by Drs. González, Kokozos, and Byrd offers practical strategies for bringing storytelling into classrooms and program development. Through research and real-world examples, the authors highlight how storytelling fosters belonging, critical thinking, and student empowerment while addressing trust, ethical storytelling, and social change. Organized into eleven chapters, the book explores key topics such as centering youth voices, challenging dominant narratives, and making storytelling impactful. …

Youth Development Opportunities Among Sexual/Gender Minoritized Youth: Who Is Left Out?, Amy L. Gower Ph.D., Ben Parchem, G. Nic Rider, Hana-May Eadeh, Ryan Watson, Samantha E. Lawrence, Stephen Russell, De'shay Thomas, Marla E. Eisenberg

Journal of Youth Development

Youth development opportunities promote health and wellbeing across adolescence. However, scholars have increasingly questioned whether these programs are relevant to and meet the needs of youth with minoritized identities. Using an intersectionality lens, 2022 Minnesota Student Survey data from 8th, 9th, and 11th graders who indicated a minoritized sexual and/or gender identity (N=24,400) were analyzed using exhaustive Chi-square automatic interaction detection to understand how youth’s racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities and grade contributed to engagement in youth development opportunities. Mean youth development opportunity scores were lowest among youth with multiple minoritized identities, particularly transgender and gender diverse youth of …

Implementation And Outcomes Of The Men Of Strength (Most) Club, Marni Kan, Ashley N. Lowe, Jason Williams, Cheryl Roberts, Katherine Suellentrop, Nichole M. Scaglione

Journal of Youth Development

Evidence is lacking for positive youth development programs for boys that use gender transformative approaches and promote peer leadership to prevent sexual violence and teen dating violence. This study aimed to address gaps in violence prevention research and youth development practice by evaluating implementation and outcomes of the Men of Strength (MOST) Club. Sixteen high schools were randomized to MOST Club or a control condition and 60 boys from nine of the schools completed baseline and follow-up surveys. Trained program facilitators completed logs after each session. Although the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with both program implementation and data collection, MOST Clubs …

Boosting Agriculture Career Readiness In Stem Through A Virtual Symposium, Suzanna R. Windon, Hosung You, Christina Grozinger, Natalie Boyle, Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Torrence A. Gill, Simon Zebelo

Journal of Youth Development

This study evaluated a recorded virtual career symposium aimed at enhancing STEM in Agriculture and graduate education readiness among students from Minority-Serving Institutions.The evaluation focused on changes in participants’ perceived readiness for STEM careers and graduate education, the relationship between readiness and demographic factors, and participants’ overall experience with the event. Featuring presentations from faculty and alumni, the symposium highlighted career pathways in agriculture and entomology, essential skills, and graduate education opportunities. Participants from five institutions were invited to view the recorded sessions and complete an online survey. Of the 56 responses received, 41 were analyzed. Results indicated that most …

To Employment And Beyond: Life Skills Development Through A Private-Nonprofit Partnership, Spencer Dudley, Victoria Haley

Journal of Youth Development

The transition to employment is a pivotal step for youth and young adults. A successful shift to the workforce can support financial independence and open pathways toward further learning and personal growth. Employers increasingly prioritize life skills over complex or technical skills in the current labor market. However, opportunities to develop these skills are not equitably distributed. Life skills training programs within a positive youth development framework show promise in affording historically marginalized youth populations opportunities to identify and develop these skills, yet research on youth experiences in such programs remains limited. This qualitative study draws on focus groups and …

Growing Mathletes: Integrating Growth Mindset, Math, And Sports To Support Youth Learning, Sanlyn Buxner, Erin Turner, Seneca B. Miller, Christina Baze, Ricardo Valerdi

Journal of Youth Development

Through Growing Mathletes, we developed and field-tested informal education activities designed to teach math within the context of baseball in a way that supports youth in developing a growth mindset. We present our development strategy and discuss our implementation with third through eighth graders at five informal learning sites across the United States. Assessment of program success included pre- and post-program surveys and post-program interviews with youth from all five informal education settings. Our findings revealed our strategy to integrate growth mindset concepts with math and baseball lessons led to positive outcomes related to youth mindset and confidence. We present …

Positive Youth Development And Connection With Nature Through Urban Agriculture, Casey Ortbahn, Marijke Hecht, Kristi Lekies

Journal of Youth Development

Youth urban agriculture programs connect youth with nature and support positive youth development. In this qualitative study, we use photovoice to amplify youth voices and explore 16 high school youths’ perceptions of how participation in a youth gardening program supported their confidence, connection, and sense of belonging. Using qualitative thematic analysis of photos, posters, and interviews, we identify several program processes that supported confidence and belonging, including meaningful relationships with peers and adults, connections with nature, and relationships with more-than-human beings. Our analysis reveals that nature is an important context for youth development and that nature is also more than …