This book presents positive youth development research in easy-to-understand concepts that have direct and clear application to youth development practice. Using the 4-H Thriving Model as an example, it discusses key areas of youth development research, such as developmental settings, learning and development, and youth thriving, in the context of their relevance to effective youth development practice. Each chapter examines a particular aspect of youth development research, providing a succinct summary of the topic, detailing implications for youth development practice, and offering guidance for translating the research into practice. Contributors introduce the need for high-quality, science-based youth development programs, the importance of high-quality youth development settings, critical facets of youth thriving, and the benefits of such programs to society writ large.

Key areas of coverage include:

• The science of learning and development as well as the role of learning and meaning making


• Positive youth development program models and high-quality youth program settings


• Youth belonging and equity in youth programming


• Developmental relationships, challenge and growth mindset, and prosocial development as well as purpose, hope, and identity


• Transcendent awareness, emotional regulation, and self-regulation and goal setting

Positive Youth Development is an essential resource for all professionals, clinicians, and practitioners as well as researchers, educators, and graduate students in developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, school psychology, clinical social work, public health, education, and all related disciplines.