Positive youth development (PYD) programs have increased positive outcomes for adolescents, however research on the underlying change processes in these programs remains limited. The 5Cs (Competence, Confidence, Character, Caring and Connection) of PYD are a framework of desirable outcomes for youth programs. Change to metacognition is proposed as…

Adolescence is a vital stage of human development, characterized by significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. During this period, adolescents face numerous challenges, including academic stress, mental health issues, social pressures, and identity formation. Teachers play a significant role in shaping students' academic and personal…

Introduction: Family and school environments are pivotal in adolescent development. However, the simultaneous examination of adversities in both domains remains understudied. Based on bioecological and spillover theories, this study aimed to bridge this research gap by using latent profile analysis to identify distinct patterns of family adversity…

Youths' perspectives, unique from adults, are shaped by their developmental experiences. This study contextualizes the meaning of mental health and being mentally healthy from adolescent perspectives. Four focus groups of students in grades 9 to 12 (N = 27) were recruited from a school in an urban city. Participants were mainly female (n = 22) and…

This study explores the associations among narcissistic traits, emotion regulation strategies, and peer problems among adolescents. Specifically, it examines whether cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression moderate the relationship between narcissistic traits and peer problems. In total 2207 individuals (1165, 52.8% females), aged between…

Adolescence is a remarkable developmental period where figuring out who you are can feel essential. Relationships and sense of self are at the forefront during this period, as establishing a sense of connection can lead to positive social experiences that contribute to a myriad of benefits, ultimately facilitating positive life outcomes. School is…

There is a recognition about the mental health, educational, and career-related benefits of positive youth development (PYD) in children and youth. This brief review provides an overview of the current application of PYD in school settings. We begin by summarising the common conceptualisations of PYD along with similar and distinct features in…

Identity development is theorized to be a cornerstone of adolescence. An abundance of evidence has documented the significance of specific social identities (e.g., ethnic-racial or sexual identity) in the adjustment of adolescents. Research has found that youth who have explored their social identities and have more positive views of their social…

This paper discusses the importance of incorporating personal assistance into interventions aimed at improving long-term education and labor market success. While existing research demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of low-touch behavioral nudges, this paper argues that the dynamic nature of human capital accumulation requires sustained habits…

Adolescence is a critical period for social emotional development. The need to focus on social emotional competencies is exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic. This systematic review paper provides a collective account of mindfulness interventions conducted exclusively with adolescent students in an educational setting (mean age 11 to 18) with the…

Background: School climate plays a vital role in adolescent development. However, most prior studies have relied on cross-sectional designs and have overlooked the relationship between psychological flexibility and the disciplinary structure of school climate. Guided by authoritative school climate theory, this study explores the longitudinal…

Context: As youth sport participation grows, athletic trainers (ATs) continue to be important health care providers in managing growth-related injuries. Objective: To examine secondary school ATs' reported knowledge on diagnosing and treating growth-related injuries and reported confidence for determining growth status and to report methods…

Identity formation is a fundamental developmental process that has significant consequences for youth adjustment during adolescence and beyond. This article presents evidence indicating that ethnic-racial identity, specifically, is an important developmental competency on which prevention science should focus in the interest of promoting positive…

Background: Despite the considerable number of young adults with developmental disabilities experiencing sexual desire and exhibiting sexual behaviours as part of their natural biological growth and development, there is a lack of research on effective intervention. This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of professionals on the…

Engagement in preventive health behaviors (PHBs; i.e., healthy eating, sleep, and physical activity) during adolescence is associated with reduced risks for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, in adulthood. Although several interventions seek to improve adolescents' engagement in health promoting behaviors, racial- and income-based disparities…