Validation of a Protective and Promotive Factors Measure: The Youth Thrive Survey

Authors

  • Charlyn Harper Browne Center for the Study of Social Policy
  • Lisa Mishraky-Javier Center for the Study of Social Policy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2021.933

Keywords:

youth assessment tool, protective and promotive factors, adolescent development, youth well-being, thriving

Abstract

This article describes the background, development, and validation of the strengths-based, youth-driven Youth Thrive Survey which measures the 5 protective and promotive factors delineated in the Youth Thrive Framework; specifically: youth resilience, social connections, knowledge of adolescent development, concrete support in times of need, and cognitive and social-emotional competence. Draft instruments were created that included new items and adapted items from existing validated instruments. Revisions were based on feedback from young people who participated in focus groups, cognitive interviews, and field-testing. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to measure internal consistency and reliability of the full instrument and the 5 protective and promotive factor subscales. Principal component analyses revealed items that did not fit well within the instrument structure and subsequently were eliminated. Analyses of the final version of the instrument showed that the Youth Thrive Survey has high levels of internal consistency and reliability. All alphas for the subscales were greater than 0.80 and the alpha for the full instrument was 0.963. This web-based, self-report survey is appropriate for use by organizations serving young people ages 12 to 26, both those who are involved with child welfare and juvenile justice systems and those who have no history of such involvement. It can be used for assessment and case planning with youth, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement. The Youth Thrive Survey, available in English and Spanish, shows great promise and utility for organizations that employ positive youth development approaches.

Author Biographies

Charlyn Harper Browne, Center for the Study of Social Policy

Charlyn Harper Browne, PhD is a Senior Associate at the Center for the Study of Social Policy.  She is primarily responsible for contributing to the research and theoretical components of projects within the “Young Children and Their Families”, “Systems Change”, “Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” initiatives.  Prior to joining CSSP in 2008, she served as a college professor and administrator for 32 years. Her educational background includes extensive post-doctoral coursework in clinical child and family psychology after earning a doctoral degree in early childhood education.  Her research and publications focus on promoting healthy development and well-being in children, youth, and families.  

Lisa Mishraky-Javier, Center for the Study of Social Policy

Lisa Mishraky-Javier, LMSW, is a Senior Associate working to advance the Center of the Study of Social Policy’s public system reform efforts, focusing on the use of data and research to inform policy, decision making and best practices.  She is part of a team responsible for monitoring and providing technical assistance to child welfare systems operating under federal consent decrees to improve practice for children and families.  Ms. Mishraky-Javier also leads projects to promote well-being outcomes for adolescents, expectant and parenting young in foster care, their children and families, with a focus on promoting the protective and promotive factors that children, families and communities need to thrive.  She is a graduate of Columbia University and has extensive experience working within the child welfare and homelessness fields.

This article describes the background, development, and validation of the strengths-based, youth-driven Youth Thrive Survey which measures the 5 protective and promotive factors delineated in the Youth Thrive Framework; specifically: youth resilience, social connections, knowledge of adolescent development, concrete support in times of need, and cognitive and social-emotional competence. Draft instruments were created that included new items and adapted items from existing validated instruments. Revisions were based on feedback from young people who participated in focus groups, cognitive interviews, and field-testing. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to measure internal consistency and reliability of the full instrument and the 5 protective and promotive factor subscales. Principal component analyses revealed items that did not fit well within the instrument structure and subsequently were eliminated. Analyses of the final version of the instrument showed that the Youth Thrive Survey has high levels of internal consistency and reliability. All alphas for the subscales were greater than 0.80 and the alpha for the full instrument was 0.963. This web-based, self-report survey is appropriate for use by organizations serving young people ages 12 to 26, both those who are involved with child welfare and juvenile justice systems and those who have no history of such involvement. It can be used for assessment and case planning with youth, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement. The Youth Thrive Survey, available in English and Spanish, shows great promise and utility for organizations that employ positive youth development approaches.

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Published

2021-09-29

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Research & Evaluation Studies

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