PYD programs engage young people in intentional, productive, and constructive ways while recognizing and enhancing their strengths. These programs promote positive outcomes by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and giving the support that is needed to develop young people’s assets and prevent risky behaviors.
Research indicates that young people who are surrounded by a variety of opportunities for positive encounters engage in less risky behavior and ultimately show evidence of higher rates of successful transitions into adulthood.1 PYD programs are one venue to ensure that young people have access to adequate positive opportunities. The available evidence suggests that PYD programs can prevent a variety of risk behaviors among young people and improve social and emotional outcomes. For example:
- A comprehensive study that looked at more than 200 school-based social-emotional learning programs found that program participants showed significant improvement in social and emotional skills, attitudes, and academic performance and reductions in internalizing symptoms and risky behaviors.2
- A review of PYD programs for adolescents with chronic illness found that 3 of the 14 programs included the core components of PYD: opportunities for youth leadership, skill building, and sustained connections between youth and adults. The authors suggest that these programs serve as models for the development of future PYD programs for adolescents with chronic disease.3