Showing papers in "Applied Developmental Science in 2012"
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that adjustment is largely affected by differences in the quality of parenting and parent-child relationships, and the richness of the economic and social resources available to the family; more recent research signals the importance of congenital differences.
Abstract: The burgeoning empirical literature exploring the factors accounting for individual differences in psychological adjustment is reviewed. Many studies have shown that adjustment is largely affected by differences in the quality of parenting and parent–child relationships, the quality of the relationships between the parents, and the richness of the economic and social resources available to the family; more recent research signals the importance of congenital differences as well. Dimensions of family structure—including such factors as divorce, single parenthood, and the parents' sexual orientation—and biological relatedness between parents and children are of little or no predictive importance once the process variables are taken into account, because the same factors explain child adjustment regardless of family structure. These findings have important social and legal implications, especially in relation to decisions regarding foster care and adoption, as well as those concerning children's well-being f...
205 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors distinguish among formal civic education, an open classroom climate, and active learning strategies and explore their relation with political interest, efficacy, trust, and participation, and conclude that there is no reason to privilege specific forms of civic education as each form relates to different relevant political attitudes and behaviors.
Abstract: It is generally assumed that civic education efforts will have a positive effect on the political attitudes and behaviors of adolescents and young adults. In the present study, we distinguish among formal civic education, an open classroom climate, and active learning strategies, and we explore their relation with political interest, efficacy, trust, and participation. To analyze these relations, we rely on the results of a two-year panel study among late adolescents in Belgium. The results indicate that formal civic education (classroom instruction) and active learning strategies (school council membership and, to a lesser extent, group projects) are positively related to political attitudes and behavior. An open classroom climate, on the other hand, is significantly related to political trust. We conclude that there is no reason to privilege specific forms of civic education, as each form relates to different relevant political attitudes and behaviors.
121 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a vision of applied developmental science (ADS) as a means of promoting social justice and socio-political well-being in marginalized youth communities, understanding the effects of poverty and racial discrimination on individual and family wellbeing and promoting positive development through youth civic engagement programs.
Abstract: In this article we present a vision of applied developmental science (ADS) as a means of promoting social justice and socio-political well-being. This vision draws upon the field's significant accomplishments in identifying and strengthening developmental assets in marginalized youth communities, understanding the effects of poverty and racial discrimination on individual and family well-being and promoting positive development through youth civic engagement programs. It also highlights potential linkages between ADS and other social science fields working to identify and eliminate societal barriers to human development.
40 citations
TL;DR: The psychiatric genetics field is currently undergoing a crisis due to the decades-long failure to uncover the genes believed to cause the major psychiatric disorders as mentioned in this paper, leading researchers have explained these negative results on the basis of the missing heritability argument, which holds that more effective research methods must be developed to uncover presumed missing genes.
Abstract: The psychiatric genetics field is currently undergoing a crisis due to the decades-long failure to uncover the genes believed to cause the major psychiatric disorders. Since 2009, leading researchers have explained these negative results on the basis of the “missing heritability” argument, which holds that more effective research methods must be developed to uncover presumed missing genes. According to the author, problems with the missing heritability argument include genetic determinist beliefs, a reliance on twin research, the use of heritability estimates, and the failure to seriously consider the possibility that presumed genes do not exist. The author concludes that decades of negative results support a finding that genes for the major psychiatric disorders do not appear to exist, and that research attention should be directed away from attempts to uncover “missing heritability” and toward environmental factors and a reassessment of previous genetic interpretations of psychiatric family, twin, and a...
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a mixed method study explores youths' perceived conceptions of spirituality and tests whether spirituality is an additional internal developmental asset (IDA), using grounded theory to assess youths' qualitative responses resulted in the creation of 10 “spiritual categories.
Abstract: This mixed method study explores youths' perceived conceptions of spirituality and tests whether spirituality is an additional internal developmental asset (IDA). Spirituality was assessed using an open-ended question asking youth to define spirituality followed by a closed-ended item gauging the extent to which their definition reflected their own spirituality. Using grounded theory to assess youths' qualitative responses resulted in the creation of 10 “spiritual categories.” Quantitative analyses revealed that youths' self-assessment of spirituality had significant concurrent effects on six domains of positive youth development (PYD). However, the longitudinal change model only revealed a significant effect between youths' self-ratings of spirituality and their later Character scores. Additionally, we tested if religious identification moderated the relations between youth spirituality and the domains of PYD but no significant effects were found. The significant findings provide support for the notion t...
27 citations
TL;DR: For instance, the authors examined meanings attached to citizenship, barriers for citizenship, motivations for civic engagement, and aspirations as citizens in a sample of Chilean youth that grew up during the transition to democracy.
Abstract: Through a qualitative methodology, this study examines meanings attached to citizenship, barriers for citizenship, motivations for civic engagement, and aspirations as citizens in a sample (n = 71) of Chilean youth that grew up during the transition to democracy. The meanings youth attached to citizenship include membership, entitlement to rights and responsibilities, active participation, being informed, and voting. Participants perceived that practices of the political class, the economic system, and social disparities are barriers to exercising citizenship. They challenge the principles of a social order they consider unjust and advance proposals for social transformation that claim for social justice, reducing socio-economic disparities, discrimination, and bringing the political class closer to ordinary citizens. Findings reflect critical and cultural notions of citizenship. Contrasting their actual experiences with their aspirations for citizenship, participants feel politically inefficacious as the...
16 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the relation between adolescent summer arrangements and associated developmental outcomes (well-being, externalizing behavior, body mass index, and academic performance) through secondary data analysis of a nationally representative sample, and examined if these relations were mediated by parental knowledge of youth whereabouts and activities.
Abstract: Through secondary data analysis of a nationally representative sample, the study explored the relations between adolescent summer arrangements and associated developmental outcomes (well-being, externalizing behavior, body mass index, and academic performance). The study also examined if these relations were mediated by parental knowledge of youth whereabouts and activities, as well as if these relations differed for subgroups of youth regularly involved in self-care, parent care, or other adult care during the summer. Controlling for individual and demographic characteristics and prior measures of outcomes, summer organized activity participation was related to higher emotional well-being, academic performance and lower externalizing behavior and body mass index the following school year. Moreover, the relation between summer organized activity participation and adolescent outcomes was mediated by high levels of parental knowledge for emotional well-being, reading, math, and externalizing behavior, but n...
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors suggest that new insights can be gained in efforts to reduce high school dropout rates by applying techniques that have proven effective in reducing small business failures, and propose a method to reduce the dropout rate of high school students.
Abstract: Evidence suggests that new insights can be gained in efforts to reduce high school dropout rates by applying techniques that have proven effective in reducing small business failures. The process o...
7 citations
TL;DR: B Benson as discussed by the authors made all communities ones that possessed resources to enhance the thriving of youth, and the spark that ignited his work was to make all communities the ones with the resources to make them better communities.
Abstract: Peter L. Benson died on October 2, 2011. He was 65 years old. The spark that ignited his work was to make all communities ones that possessed resources to enhance the thriving of youth. During his ...
5 citations
TL;DR: To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we...
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, configural methods are proposed that allow one to test hypotheses about differential developmental trajectories, and a simulation study is presented in which it is shown that all conceivable patterns of trajectories can be characterized configurally, and even when the null hypothesis of independence of repeated observations holds, descriptors of growth trends can be correlated.
Abstract: Many developmental pathways and trajectories are far from universal. In this article, configural methods are proposed that allow one to test hypotheses about differential developmental trajectories. Trends in categorical variables are discussed. A simulation study is presented in which it is shown that (1) all conceivable patterns of trajectories can be characterized configurally, and (2) even when the null hypothesis of independence of repeated observations holds, descriptors of growth trends can be correlated. Implications of these results for the specification of base models are discussed. Models with single and multiple categorical predictors are discussed, as are models that include multiple descriptors for the shape of trajectories. A data example is given in which trajectories of depression are predicted for women who did versus did not experience intimate partner violence. The data are analyzed from both person- and variable-oriented perspectives.
TL;DR: In this paper, the unenviable task of disentangling complex interactions between individuals and their environments to understand and alleviate the formidable developm-makings was faced by applied developmental researchers.
Abstract: Applied developmental researchers often face the unenviable task of disentangling complex interactions between individuals and their environments to understand and alleviate the formidable developm...
TL;DR: B Benson as mentioned in this paper was a pioneer whose ideas mattered and a champion of approaches to research and its use in the community that has made a difference around the world, and his work, life and spirit have helped transform our understanding of young people, what it takes to support their development, and our collective responsibility for their success.
Abstract: Youth development lost a pioneer and a champion, Peter Benson, in October. Peter was a pioneer whose ideas mattered and a champion of approaches to research and its use in the community that has made a difference around the world. Peter Benson’s work, life, and spirit have helped transform our understanding of young people, what it takes to support their development, and our collective responsibility for their success. He also transformed me as a professional.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reflect on Peter Benson's life, his person, and his impact, and conclude that "Hindsight is always 20:20." But they do not discuss his academic achievements.
Abstract: As they say, “Hindsight is always 20:20.” Upon the death of Peter Benson and taking the occasion to reflect on his life, his person, and his impact, I have to say, academically speaking, that Peter...
TL;DR: This article explored the developmental outcomes associated with participation in three different types of sport (individual sports, team sports, and dance-type sports) as well as across six identified patterns of participation (no participation, joining sports, constant participation, changing participation, dropping out, and inconsistent participation), using data from Grades 10, 11, and 12 of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development.
Abstract: In order to examine youth experiences in athletic activities with different characteristics, the present study explored the developmental outcomes associated with participation in three different types of sport (individual sports, team sports, and dance-type sports) as well as across six identified patterns of participation (no participation, joining sports, constant participation, changing participation, dropping out, and inconsistent participation), using data from Grades 10, 11, and 12 of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. Results indicated that female youth who participated in athletics across all three years, as well as youth who participated simultaneously in both individual and team sports, showed the most favorable outcomes when compared to youth who did not participate in athletics. Findings are discussed in relation to prior work on youth sport participation from an embodied relational developmental systems perspective. We also include suggestions for future research.
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that adolescents' sense of belonging involves four distinct school-experience factors: generalized connection to teachers; connection to a specific teacher; identification and participation in official school-sanctioned activities; and perception of fitting in with peers.
Abstract: Adolescents' sense of belonging in high school may serve a protective function, linking school-based relationships to positive youth outcomes. To advance the study of sense of belonging, we conducted a mixed method, factor analytic study (Phase 1 focus groups, N = 72; Phase 2 cross-sectional survey, N = 890) to explore the multidimensionality of the sense of belonging construct. Findings suggest that adolescents' sense of belonging involves four distinct school-experience factors: Generalized connection to teachers; connection to a specific teacher; identification and participation in official school-sanctioned activities; and perception of fitting in with peers. Future research should investigate the validity of the proposed sense of belonging subdimensions and longitudinally examine the form and function of disparate adolescent school-based relationships in relation to academic engagement or disengagement processes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the same latent process can manifest differently from one individual to another, thus recognizing that the process is general but its realization in a given person is to some degree idiosyncratic.
Abstract: To model processes we propose merging idiographic filter measurement with dynamic factor analysis. This involves testing whether or not the same latent dynamics (concurrent and lagged factor interrelations) can describe different individuals' observed multivariate time series. The methodology allows fitting, across different individuals, dynamic factor models that are invariant with respect to the latent dynamics, but not necessarily the factor loadings (measurement model). This methodology allows the same latent process to manifest differently from one individual to another, thus recognizing that the process is general but its realization in a given person is to some degree idiosyncratic. The approach is illustrated with empirical data.