40 Developmental Assets
Have you heard about the Search Institute? They are a nonprofit organization that studies and works to strengthen youth success in schools, coalitions, youth and family organizations, and the faith community. One of the most famous and well-utilized study conducted by Search Institute is known as the 40 Developmental Framework. In this study, Search Institute identified 40 research-based positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools and communities. These are known as External Assets. The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people, and are referred to the Internal Assets.
Over time, studies of more than 5 million young people consistently show that the more assets that young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.
The research shows that youth with the most assets are more likely to:
- Do well in school
- Be civically engaged
- Value diversity
The research also shows that youth with the most assets are least likely to have problems with :
- Alcohol use
- Violence
- Illicit drug use
- Sexual activity
The major findings from years of research collection are that young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them. They also need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected. Young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best. Furthermore, young people need opportunities, outside of school, to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.
On one level, the 40 Developmental Assets represent common wisdom about the kinds of positive supports and strengths young people need, but extensive research also reveals that assets can have a powerful influence on adolescent behavior. By juxtaposing the challenge of reducing risky behaviors with the positive model of the Developmental Asset framework, Search Institute offers communities a hopeful vision for addressing the challenges in part through building strengths and resilience in young people’s lives.
Reducing Risks—the Protective Power of Assets: In addition to measuring Developmental Assets, the Attitudes and Behaviors Survey also measures levels of high-risk behaviors, including the use of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, violence, and early sexual involvement. Youth with low asset levels (0-10 assets) engage, on average, in 7.7 of 24 risk behaviors, compared to 0.7 risk behaviors among youth who experience 31-40 assets!
Promoting Thriving: The survey also measures young people’s engagement in a wide range of thriving attitudes and behaviors, including succeeding in school, valuing diversity, helping others, and overcoming adversity. Youth with 0-10 assets engage in 2.7 of the 8 thriving indicators measured, compared to 6.1 thriving indicators among those experiencing 31-40 assets.
Are you curious to learn which of the 40 Developmental Assets the youth in your life are experiencing? Attached for your review are lists of the 40 Developmental Assets by age group:
Ages 3-5
Ages 5-9
Ages 8-12
Ages 12-18Search Institute has identified 40 positive
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