Youth Programs
Youth Programs supported by Prevention Program Services are collaborative efforts with schools and community agencies. Selected research-based youth prevention programs focus on intervening early in a child's development to strengthen protective factors before problem behaviors develop or become habitual. As they grow up, youth are exposed to a number of factors which may either increase their risk for, or protect them from, problems such as abusing drugs or engaging in delinquent behavior.
"Risk factors" are any circumstances that may increase youths' likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. Conversely, "protective factors" are any circumstances that promote healthy youth behaviors and decrease the chance that youth will engage in risky behaviors.
Risk factors and protective factors are often organized into five categories:
- Individual
- Family
- School
- Peer group
- Community
Risk factors that predict future risky behaviors by youth are shown below:
Community
- Availability of drugs and firearms
- Community laws and norms favorable toward drug use, firearms, and crime
- Transitions and mobility
- Low neighborhood attachment
- Community disorganization
- Extreme economic and social deprivation
Family
- Family history of the problem behavior
- Family management problems
- Family conflict
- Favorable parent attitudes and involvement in the problem behavior
School
- Academic failure
- Lack of commitment to school
Peer/Individual
- Early initiation of drug use and other problem behavior
- Early and persistent antisocial behavior
- Alienation and rebelliousness
- Friends who use drugs and engage in a problem behavior
- Favorable attitudes toward drug use and other problem behaviors
- Gang involvement
- Constitutional factors
Protective factors identified through research include strong bonding to family, school, community and peers and healthy beliefs and clear standards for behavior. Three conditions must be present in communities, neighborhoods, school and peer groups for young people to develop strong bonds. These conditions include:
- Opportunities for young people to actively contribute
- Skills to be able to successfully contribute
- Consistent recognition or reinforcement for their efforts or accomplishments
For bonding to serve as a protective influence it must happen through involvement with peers and adults who communicate healthy values and set clear standards for behavior.
Research related to Risk and Protective Factors:
Hawkins, J.D., Arthur, M.W. & Catalano, R.F. in Farringtonn, D. & Tonry, M. (Eds.) Crime and Justice: A Review of Research. Vol. 18 Crime Prevention. Chicago: University of Chicago Press
Peterson, P.L., Hawkins, J.D., Abbott, R.D. & Catalano, R.F., Journal of Research on Adolescence, 4 (2) 203-227, 1994
Hawkins, J.D., Catalano, R.F. & Miller, Janet Y. (1992). Risk and Protective Factors for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in Adolescence and early Adulthood: Implications for Substance Abuse Prevention, Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 112, No. 1 64-105.
For additional information on youth development through Search Institute go to Asset Building.
