Recently, there has been substantial interest in youth development as a strategy for reducing youth risk behaviors (e.g., sexual intercourse, tobacco, alcohol use). In a youth development framework, youth and family assets are viewed as protecting youth from problem behaviors. As an example of a prevention program attempting to reduce youth risk behavior by increasing or strengthening youth and community assets, the HEART of OKC project (Healthy, Empowered, And Responsible Teens of Oklahoma City) is one of 13 projects funded by the CDC as part of a national teen pregnancy prevention initiative. The project used focus group and needs assessment data to identify 10 developmental assets (e.g., family communication, peer role models, decision-making skills) thought to be key to preventing risk-taking behaviors among youth residing in intervention neighborhoods. Two pilot studies were conducted to develop the asset constructs and related assessment tool. Next, a study of inner-city youth and their parents was conducted using in-home interviews(N=1,350 youth/parent paired interviews) to investigate potential relationships among youth assets, demographic factors, and risk behaviors. The purpose of the proposed session is to report on the: 1) asset construct and instrument development studies (abstract # 25286); 2); relationships between youth risk behaviors and demographic factors (abstract # 25258); and 3) relationships between the assets and youth risk behaviors (abstract #s 22343, 25061, 23741). The presentations will provide session attendees with an understanding of youth assets and their role in preventing problem behaviors, asset assessment techniques, and evaluation strategies for community-based asset programs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss potential key assets for healthy youth and methods to evaluate a community-based asset program. 2. Identify specific items that comprise the youth asset constructs. 3. Discuss 1) specific significant relationships among the youth assets, demographic factors, and youth risk behaviors, and 2) assets- versus deficit-based approaches to youth risk reduction.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.