The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD): Reconnection and Replication

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD): Reconnection and Replication

Project Summary

The 4-H Study of PYD: Reconnection and Replication aims to extend and replicate the original 4-H Study of PYD. Conducted between 2002 and 2012, the original study found that when PYD was promoted by youth development programs, youth would contribute positively to their communities and, by the end of the high-school years, become active and engaged citizens. With the new 4-H Study of PYD, we are investigating if this prediction is true. In addition, to extend the youth-development leadership of 4-H programs to the current generations of American youth, we are conducting a small replication of the original 4-H study.

Approach

The 4-H Study of PYD: Reconnection and Replication has two parts. Part 1 is a Reconnection Study, a follow-up assessment of participants in the original study, and this study will ascertain the life paths through the third decade of life of the 4-H youth who participated in the initial 4-H Study of PYD. Part 2, The Replication Study, will assess current 4-H participants across the Grade 6-Grade 12 span at three time points.

Measurement & Metrics

In both parts of the project, we will capitalize on refinements of measurement that have occurred in the current decade in regard to indexing constructs central to the original 4-H Study of PYD (PYD but, as well, intentional self-regulation, hope for the future, and contribution). As well, in the past decade, positive youth development research has suggested new constructs (e.g., growth mindset, relationship skills) be added to the set of influences on PYD. Therefore, we will also include these constructs in our measurement model.

Key Findings

The main findings from the original study indicated that when PYD – defined as Competence, Confidence, Connection, Caring, and Character – was promoted by youth development programs, youth would contribute positively to their communities and, by the end of the high-school years, become active and engaged citizens. These relations were especially true for 4-H youth and particularly for 4-H girls.

The study also identified three key facets of youth programs effective in promoting PYD:

  1. Positive and sustained relationships between a young person and an adult;
  2. Life-skill building activities; and
  3. Opportunities for youth participation in and leadership of valued activities.

Documents

Full list of publications from the ORIGINAL 4-H Study of PYD

Recognitions and Honors

The National 4-H Council will host their annual 4-H Thriving Conference in October 2024, inaugurating an Annual Lerner Lecture in honor of Professors Jacqueline V. Lerner and Richard M. Lerner. The lecture will celebrate and acknowledge their 25 years of studying 4-H youth.

All Project Briefs

Research Team

Jacqueline Lerner

Jacqueline V. Lerner, Ph.D.
Professor, Boston College 

richard m. lerner

Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D.
Bergstrom Chair, Tufts University

Project Support

This study was supported by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development (IARYD). 

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