Positive Youth Development Theory in Practice: An Update on the 4-H Thriving Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.954Keywords:
4-H Thriving Model, youth development, program theory, program evaluation, professional developmentAbstract
The 4-H Thriving Model predicts that participation in high-quality 4-H programs helps youth thrive and that thriving youth achieve key developmental outcomes, thus illuminating the process of positive youth development in 4-H. This paper provides an update on the 4-H Thriving Model, with particular attention to model modifications based on additional research. The paper then describes the formation of the Advancing the 4-H Model Task Force, a 3-year project chartered by the national 4-H Program Leaders Working Group (PLWG). The paper describes how the work of the task force will support efforts related to the professional development of 4-H youth development professionals and volunteers, replication of and further research on the 4-H Thriving model, and organizational alignment across the national 4-H system.
References
Arnold, M. E. (2015). Connecting the dots: Improving Extension program planning with program umbrella models. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 3(2) 48-67.
Arnold, M. E. (2018). From context to outcomes: A thriving model for 4-H youth development programs. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 6(1), 141-160.
Arnold, M. E. (2020). America’s moment: Investing in positive youth development to transform youth and society. Journal of Youth Development, 15(5), 16-36. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.996
Arnold, M. E., & Cater, M. (2016). Program theory and quality matter: Changing the course of Extension program evaluation. Journal of Extension [On-line], 54(1). http://www.joe.org/joe/2016february/a1.php
Arnold, M. E., & Gagnon, R. J. (2019). Illuminating the process of youth development: The mediating effect of thriving on youth development program outcomes. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 7(3), 24-51.
Arnold, M. E., & Gagnon, R. J. (2020). Going deeper: Exploring and confirming factors that promote thriving in 4-H youth development programs [Manuscript submitted for publication].
Arnold, M. E., & Rennekamp, R. A. (2020). A time like no other: 4-H youth development and COVID-19. Journal of Extension, 58(3). https://joe.org/joe/2020june/comm1.php
Arnold, M. E., & Silliman, B, (2017). From theory to practice: A critical review of positive youth development frameworks. Journal of Youth Development, 12(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.5195/JYD.2017.17
Astbury, B., & Leeuw, F. L. (2010). Unpacking black boxes: Mechanisms and theory building in evaluation. American Journal of Evaluation, 31(3), 363-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098214010371972
Bonnie, R. J., & Backes, E. P. (Eds.). (2019). The promise of adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for all Youth. National Academies Press.
Borden, L. M., Perkins, D. F., & Hawkey, K. (2014). 4-H Youth Development; The past, the present, and the future. Journal of Extension, 52(4). https://www.joe.org/joe/2014august/comm1.php
Bornstein, M. H. (2019). Fostering optimal development and averting detrimental development: Prescriptions, proscriptions and specificity. Journal of Applied Developmental Science, 23(4), 340- 345.
Bowers, E. P., Geldhof, G. J., Johnson, S. K., Hilliard, L.J., Hersberg, R. M., Lerner, J. V., & Lerner, R., M. (2015). Promoting positive youth development: Lessons from the 4-H study. Springer. https://doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17166-1_6
Bowers, E. P., Johnson, S. K., Warren, D. J. A., Tirrell, J. M., & Lerner, J. V. (2015). Youth-adult relationships and positive youth development. In E. P. Bowers, G. J. Geldhof, S. K. Johnson, L. J. Hilliard, R. M. Hershberg, J. V. Lerner, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Promoting positive youth development: Lessons from the 4-H study (pp. 97-120). Springer. https://doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17166-1_6
Cantor, P., Osher, D., Berg, J., Steyer, & Rose, T. (2019). Malleability, plasticity and individuality: How children learn and develop in context. Journal of Applied Developmental Science, 23(4), 307-337. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2017.1398649
Chen, H. T. (2004). Practical program evaluation: Assessing and improving planning, implementation, and effectiveness. Sage.
Eccles, J., & Gootman, J. (Eds.). (2002). Community programs to promote youth development. National Academy Press.
Fields, N. I. (2020). Literature Review: Exploring 4-H Thriving Through an Equity Lens. National 4-H Council-ECOP 4-H.
Funnell, S. C., & Rogers, P. J. (2011). Purposeful program theory: Effective use of theories of change and logic models. Jossey Bass.
Garst, B. A., Hunnings, J. R., Jamison, K., & Hairston, J. (2007). Development of a comprehensive new 4-H Extension agents training program using a multi-module approach and the 4-H Professional Research, Knowledge, and Competencies (4-HPRKC) taxonomy. Journal of Extension, 45(1). https://www.joe.org/joe/2007february/a3.php
Garst, B., & McCawley, P. (2015). Solving problems, ensuring relevance, and facilitating change: The evolution of needs assessment within Cooperative Extension. Journal of Human Science and Extension, 3(2), 26-47.
Geldhof, G. J., Bowers, E. P., Mueller, M. K., Napolitano, C. M., Callina, K. S., Walsh, K. J., Lerner, J. V., & Lerner, R. M. (2015). The five C’s model of positive youth development. In E. P. Bowers, G. J. Geldhof, S. K. Johnson, L. J. Hilliard, R. M. Hershberg, J. V. Lerner, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.) Promoting positive youth development: Lessons from the 4-H study (pp. 161-186). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17166-1_9
Haimovtiz, K., & Dweck, C. S. (2017). The origins of children’s growth and fixed mindsets: New research and a new proposal. Child Development, 88(6), 1849-1859. https://doi:10.1111/cdev.12955
Hamilton, S. F. (2014). On the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43(6), 1008-1011. https://doi: 10.1007/s10964-014-0121-z
Heck, K. E., & Subramanian, A. (2009). Youth development frameworks (University of California 4-H Center for Youth Development Monograph). University of California.
Heck, K. E., & Subramanian, A., & Carlos, R. (2009). Use of the PRKC tool in assessment of staff development needs: Experiences from California. Journal of Extension, 47(3). https://www.joe.org/joe/2009june/a7.php
Hendricks, P.A. (1996). Targeting Life Skills Model. Iowa State University Extension.
Hutchins, G. K. (1990). Agent specialization and the 4-H PRK Model. Journal of Extension, 28(4), https://www.joe.org/faes-joe/joe/1990winter/a3.php
Jones, J. N., & Deutsch, N. L. (2012). Social and identity development in an after-school program: Changing experiences and shifting adolescent needs. Journal of Early Adolescence, 33(1), 17-43. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431612462628
Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Kress, C. (2005). Essential Elements of positive youth development. In Strengthening positive youth development environments (pp. 20-23). University of Wisconsin Extension 4-H Program. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431612462628
Lerner, R. M., Geldhof, G. J., & Bowers, E. (2019). The science of learning and development: Entering a new frontier of human development theory, research, and application. Journal of Applied Developmental Science, 23(4), 305-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2019.1630995
Lerner, R. M., & Lerner, J. V. (2013). The positive development of youth: Comprehensive findings from the 4-H study of positive youth development. National 4-H Council.
Lerner, R. M., Lerner, J. V., Urban, J. B., & Zaff, J. (2016) Evaluating programs aimed at promoting positive youth development: A relational development systems-view. Applied Developmental Science, 20(3), 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2015.1082430
Li, J., & Julian, M. M. (2012). Developmental relationships as an active ingredient: A unifying working hypothesis of “what works” across intervention settings. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(20), 157-166). https://doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01151.x
National 4-H Council (2017). 4-H Common Measures 2.0 reference table. Author.
National Institute for Food and Agriculture. (2017). Growing together: 4-H Professional, Research, Knowledge, and Competencies. Author.
National Institute for Food and Agriculture. (2019). 4-H Youth Development Strategic Plan: a 2025 Vision. Author.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Sage.
Nesselroade, J. R. (2019). Developments in developmental theory and research. Journal of Applied Developmental Science, 23(4), 346-348.
Pawson, R. (2013). The science of evaluation: A realist manifesto. Sage.
Pawson, R., & Tilley, N. (1997). Realistic evaluation. Sage.
Pittman, K., Irby, M., Tolman, J., Yohalem, N., & Ferber, T. (2003). Preventing problems, promoting development, encouraging engagement: Competing priorities or inseparable goals? Forum for youth investment.
Preskill, H., & Boyle, S. (2008). A multidisciplinary model of evaluation capacity building. American Journal of Evaluation, 29(4), 443-459. https://doi:10.1177/1098214008324182
Roehlkepartain, E. C., Pekel, K., Syvertsen, A. K., Sethi, J., Sullivan, T., K., & Scales, P. C. (2017). Relationships first: Creating connections that help young people thrive. Search Institute.
Roth, J. L., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2016). Evaluating youth development programs: Progress and promise. Applied Developmental Science, 20(3), 188-202. https://doi:10.1080/10888691.2015.1113879
Scales, P. C., Benson, P. L., & Roehlkepartain, E. C. (2011). Adolescent thriving: The role of sparks, relationships, and empowerment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40, 263-277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9578-6
Search Institute (2014). The Search Institute model of thriving orientation: Overview of its evolution through recent funding from the Thrive Foundation for Youth. [Unpublished paper]. Author.
Stone, B., & Rennekamp, R. (2004). New foundations for the 4-H Youth development profession; 4-H professional research, knowledge, and competencies study. Conducted in cooperation with the National 4-H Professional Development Task Force. National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA. https://4-hhistorypreservation.com/eMedia/eOneTimeReports/New_Foundations.pdf
Weiss, H. B., Little, P. M. D., & Bouffard, S. M. (2005). More than just being there: Balancing the participation equation. New Directions for Youth Development, 105, 15-31. https://doi:10.1002/yd.105
Yohalem, N., & Wilson-Ahlstrom, A. (2010). Inside the black box: Assessing and improving quality in youth programs. American Journal of Community Psychology, 45(3-4), 350-357. https://doi:10.1007/s10464-010-9311-3g
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
- Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
- The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
- Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site;
- The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
- Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
- The Author represents and warrants that:
- the Work is the Author’s original work;
- the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
- the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
- the Work has not previously been published;
- the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
- the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
- The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.
Revised 7/16/2018. Revision Description: Removed outdated link.