Roma Youth

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-84
Author(s):  
Pasquale Musso ◽  
Cristiano Inguglia ◽  
Michele Mannoia ◽  
Alida Lo Coco

This chapter highlights the importance of integrating research on positive youth development processes in the most disadvantaged youth groups. The authors focused on Roma youth, representing a prototypical low-status minority group. The first part of the chapter examines the demographics and the socially, politically, and ideologically challenging contexts in which Roma young people are embedded, taking into account the case of Italy, one European country with high anti-Roma sentiments. The second part summarizes the literature that deals with social-psychological factors underlying the developmental functioning and optimal well-being of Roma youth in spite of adversity. The third part focuses on the understudied issue of intervention strategies for oppressed populations like Roma and highlights not only the developmental research that provides guidance to the design of effective positive youth development program, but also the significant knowledge produced by persons who have close familiarity with the Roma youth condition and daily encounters to observe and test empirically positive processes of change. The conclusion suggests implications for future research and interventions as well as for current social policy to promote positive development globally, even in the most stigmatized youth.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Ba’yah Abdul Kadir ◽  
Rusyda Helma Mohd

A substantial body of evidence supports Lerner and colleagues’ 5Cs model of positive youth development (PYD) in the United States (U.S.). Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether the 5Cs can be used to identify positive development in the under-researched Asian contexts, such as Malaysia. Thus, this study examined the 5Cs of PYD (competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring) and their importance to purpose in life, hope, and well-being in a sample of emerging adult undergraduate university students in Malaysia. Data were collected from 400 participants from 15 Malaysian universities (132 males, 268 females; ages ranged from 18 to 26 years old, M = 22). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that two of the 5Cs of PYD (confidence and connection) as well as hope were important to explaining variation in well-being. The findings imply that there are strong links between PYD, especially confidence and connection, and well-being, while purpose in life and hope were indirectly related to the 2Cs (confidence and connection) of PYD and well-being. Therefore, mental health professionals are encouraged to review and redefine their treatment design to include confidence, connection, purpose in life and hope when working with Malaysian emerging adult university students.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Lerner ◽  
Jacqueline V. Lerner ◽  
Selva Lewin-Bizan ◽  
Edmond P. Bowers ◽  
Michelle J. Boyd ◽  
...  

Using the tripartite conception of positive youth development (PYD) suggested by Hamilton (1999) – as a developmental process, a philosophy or approach to youth programming, and as instances of youth programs and organizations focused on fostering the healthy or positive development of youth – we review different theoretical models of the developmental process involved in PYD. In addition, we review the ideas for and the features of youth development programs aimed at promoting PYD. We discuss the need for research interrelating different, theoretically-predicated measures of PYD and, as well, the importance of clear links between models of the PYD developmental process and of the youth development programs seeking to enhance PYD among diverse youth. We discuss several conceptual and practical problematics that must be addressed in order to integrate the three facets of PYD scholarship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia M. S. Ma ◽  
Daniel T. L. Shek

Objective: The present study explored the outcomes of a positive youth development (PYD) program entitled “Project P.A.T.H.S.” based on a total of 12,281 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Method: To understand the impact of this program, the study assessed the changes in developmental outcomes using a single group pretest and posttest design. Results: Findings showed that the participants displayed positive changes in PYD attributes, life satisfaction, and thriving after joining the program regardless of the program content. Conclusion: In conjunction with other studies, the study demonstrates the benefits of PYD programs in promoting positive development in Chinese adolescents.


2021 ◽  
pp. 16-28
Author(s):  
Marija Bingulac

Deprivation and discrimination, including the destruction of housing settlements, forced evictions, and persistent violence, led a portion of Europe’s 12 million Roma to seek refuge in the United States and Canada. Approximately 1 million Roma live in the United States, and 80,000 Roma currently live in Canada. Profound experiences of injustice in their home countries have led Roma in the United States to keep their lives hidden from mainstream society. The Roma as a race/ethnicity is not accounted for in any American surveys, and research on their well-being in the United States is scarce. This chapter fills knowledge gaps by presenting a one-of-a-kind comprehensive literature review synthesizing empirical evidence on the lives of Roma people and their youth in the United States by applying the positive youth development (PYD) framework that focuses on promoting positive asset-building for youth and seeing youth as vital resources in development strategies. In doing so, the chapter advances beyond the more usual narrative that has focused on the problems of Roma youth to examine the mechanisms that can enable them to flourish in the United States. Romani youth is a case study example of youth of color in general; this chapter adds to the body of knowledge that examines how PYD development matters for positive developmental outcomes of a minority group that has experienced socioeconomic disparities strictly because of the stigma of their identity.


Author(s):  
Margaret L. Kern ◽  
Nansook Park ◽  
Daniel Romer

This chapter covers positive youth development, positive psychology, and positive education, which suggest that mental health is more than the absence of mental illness and involves proactively supporting the mental well-being of young people. The assets of youth that protect against problems and allow young people to do well include both individual psychological characteristics and aspects of their social context. Positive approaches aim to maximize the potential of young people by encouraging both personal and environmental assets. Research findings over the past three decades have brought empirical support for key premises of positive youth development and have provided important insights into individual and contextual factors that underlie youth thriving. Future studies will continue to refine measures, improve interventions, and use empirical findings to understand and influence the processes that give rise to positive development.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel C. F. Sun ◽  
Daniel T. L. Shek

Beliefs in the future are an internalization of hope and optimism about future outcomes. This paper reviews and compares several theories of hope and optimism and highlights the features constituting beliefs in the future. This paper points out that beliefs in the future include a series of goal-directed thoughts and motivation, such as setting up valued and attainable goals, planning pathways, and maintaining self-confidence and mastery, so as to keep adolescents engaged in the pursuit of goals. This kind of personal mastery, together with sociocultural values, family, school, and peers are the antecedents leading to beliefs in the future, which is related to adolescents’ well-being and positive development. In order to cultivate adolescents’ beliefs in the future, enabling their ability to manipulate goal-directed thoughts and motivation and providing a supportive environment including their family, school, peers, and the society are recommended.


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Eva Alberts ◽  
Elise DiDenti Christiansen ◽  
Paul Chase ◽  
Sophie Naudeau ◽  
Erin Phelps ◽  
...  

Research and practice in youth development converge in an interest in positive development, or thriving. They converge also in seeking to promote among youth an orientation to act in support of their own and others’ well-being through contributions to self, family, and community. Based on the results of both qualitative (open and axial coding of parents’ and students’ answers to several open-ended questions) and quantitative analyses of data from Wave 2 (Sixth Grade; 2003-2004) of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD), we found that adolescents and parents define a thriving youth in different ways and, as well, that the groups differ in the salience of contribution as part of their respective conceptions of thriving. We discuss the implications for research and practice of the two generational groups’ contrasting views of thriving and contribution.


Author(s):  
Kristina Schmid Callina ◽  
Megan Kiely Mueller ◽  
Christopher M. Napolitano ◽  
Jacqueline V. Lerner ◽  
Richard M. Lerner

Using the tripartite model introduced by Hamilton and colleagues, this chapter describes the concept of positive youth development (PYD) as a developmental process, as a philosophy emphasizing the strengths of youth, and as the set of practices of youth programs and organizations focused on fostering the healthy or positive development of youth. We provide an overview of current theory, methods, research, and applications pertinent to PYD. In reviewing the relational developmental systems metamodel, we describe the conceptual foundations of PYD. We emphasize the importance of measuring intra-individual change in studies of PYD. As an example of a prominent theory of PYD, we focus on the Lerner and Lerner Five Cs model that is the basis for several investigations of PYD. Finally, we discuss the state of research and application in PYD from childhood to early adulthood, and make recommendations for future research in the field.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12388
Author(s):  
Marco Giancola ◽  
Maria Chiara Pino ◽  
Simonetta D’Amico

The current study explored, in a sample of 219 young Italian adults (105 M; 114 F; mean age = 22.10 years; SD = 2.69; age range = 18–29), the contribution of the five psychosocial skills (Five Cs) identified by the Positive Youth Development approach (competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring) to sustainable behaviors, including pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic. and equitable actions. We performed four regression analyses, in which the Five Cs were the independent variables and pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic, and equitable behaviors were the dependent ones. Results reveal that character predicted pro-ecological and frugal behaviors, whereas competence was a significant antecedent of altruism. In addition, we found that caring predicted pro-ecological and altruistic actions while connection was a positive predictor of equity. These findings suggest that psychosocial resources could be crucial for sustainability, opening new possibilities for research and intervention in order to promote sustainable practices that could guarantee the well-being of the present and forthcoming generations. Limits and future research directions are also discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Ferrer-Wreder ◽  
Kyle Eichas ◽  
Delia Stefenel ◽  
Carmen Buzea ◽  
Nora Wiium

Transition to adulthood in countries that have seen recent historical structural changes in society as well as changes in what it means to be an adult represents important contexts for investigations of ways in which positive development and transition to adulthood are experienced. Situated in such context, this cross-sectional study aimed to (1) describe profiles of positive psychological strengths, as measured by the Five Cs of positive youth development (PYD) and (2) document how identified profiles might differ in relation to other aspects of positive and problematic development. Participants were 272 Romanian emerging adults attending university (76% female; aged 19–29 years old, Mage = 21 years old). Latent class analysis was performed to identify patterns of psychological strengths using the Five Cs theory of positive youth development. Pairwise Wald chi square difference tests were then conducted to determine if the identified Five Cs profiles were associated with significant differences in other key outcomes. Findings indicated that, a two-class model emerged as the best fitting model, and in this model, Class 1 was similar to Class 2 on strengths of competence, confidence, and connection. However, the two classes were distinguishable by caring and character, with Class 2, the numerically more common profile (89%), being elevated on character and caring relative to Class 1 (which was a less frequently occurring profile, 11%). This finding highlights the importance of examining the diversity of positive development, even within the same theoretical framework. Further results indicated that the two identified classes showed similarities in problematic behaviors as well as in purpose in life and psychological complaints. Other group difference tests by profile/class indicated that Class 2 was higher in general and social well-being relative to Class 1, with a trend in the same direction for hope. However, an unexpected finding was that Class 2 was also elevated in somatic complaints relative to Class 1. These are important findings not only because of the contribution to the generalizability of the Five Cs theory and measure but also because of the implications of the findings to research, policy, and practice in the Romanian context and beyond.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document