Positive Adaptation, Resilience, and the Developmental Asset Framework

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, Search Institute has been active in theoretical and empirical work examining the relations among developmental resources, optimal development, and community mobilization (Benson, 2003), with the primary goal of establishing an interdisciplinary and applied line of inquiry exploring the viability and developmental significance of the "informal, natural, and nonprogrammatic capacity of community" (Benson & Saito, 2001, p. 146). In this chapter we describe the Search Institute's developmental asset framework and its relation to resilience models by addressing three dimensions salient to both approaches: (1) the taxonomy of factors thought to promote positive development and adaptation; (2) the criteria used to determine or define positive developmental outcomes; and (3) strategies and mechanisms for enhancing the development of youth. In the process, we highlight points of convergence and distinction from resilience models along these three dimensions. Given that resilience is not a homogeneous arena of research, with differences in models, terminology, and assumptions, we will draw on broad themes to provide the context for the description of the developmental asset model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). (create)