The Scientific Foundations of Youth Development

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the status of youth development research and propose the kind of scientific work needed to responsibly advance the field. At the most general level, the term youth development connotes a focus on supporting or pro- moting, during the second decade of life, the positive developmental processes that are known or assumed to advance health and well-being. These processes in- clude such multidimensional domains as competence, mastery, positive identity, resilience, caring, connection, and belonging.