Youth–Adult Relationships and Positive Youth Development

Abstract

Youth-adult relationships provide key resources for positive youth development (PYD) in the lives of many youth. More research needs to consider the diversity of young people and the diversity of the relationships that they can form with adults. What characteristics of these relationships might influence youth outcomes and which youth might be most affected? In addition, both researchers and practitioners need to acknowledge and address the joint influence that the adults in a young person's life have on his or her thriving. The findings we have reviewed point to the shared responsibility of adults for the positive development of youth in their community, and we have outlined recommendations for potential policies, programs, and practices that can enable communities and adults to uphold that shared responsibility. Practice and research that address youth-adult relationships must also consider the rapidly changing definition of "family" and growing diversity of family structures. For example, with same-sex partnerships and marriages being recognized in the majority of states, it is important to examine what this means for relations among parents, mentors, and youth-serving programs. This substantial change in policy is added on to existing challenges that programs may face as they look to engage families from marginalized or minority populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)