Promoting Resilience for Underserved Youth: Mobilizing Protective Factors Using a Positive Youth Development (PYD) Framework
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: How do we promote positive developmental outcomes for today's youth and young adult populations?Changing political and social landscapes provide increased risks to the health and well-being of young people in the United States.These threats include limited access to health care services, the proliferation of gun violence and deaths impacting youth populations, and the reality of poverty and family economic hardship in this post-COVID-19 era.Recent data describe the situation as a "mental health crisis," with Black youth especially at risk for suicide ideation, substance use, and depression [1].Social media presents new challenges for youth, including exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation, exploitation, and cyberbullying [2].Despite the multitude of risk factors for today's youth, the Positive Youth Development Framework (PYD) provides a useful strategy for promoting resilience.The PYD Framework is an evidence-based approach for enabling youth-particularly those in underserved and underresourced communities-to overcome adversity and thrive in challenging situations.Put simply, PYD focuses on the talents, interests, and strengths of young people that provide the potential for a successful future [3].In order to operationalize this perspective into effective strategies that promote resilience, it is critical to focus on the positive aspects of youth development.Focusing on protective factors, or what works in promoting positive outcomes, is
Source: North Carolina Medical Journal
DOI: 10.18043/001c.87513
Authors: Lorraine C. Taylor, Akeylah C. Giles
Institution: North Carolina Central University
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4386378206