We are excited to announce the latest issue of the Journal of Youth Development, featuring eight articles that address critical challenges and opportunities facing young people, offering evidence-based insights and practical strategies to inform youth development programming and policy.
Two Feature Articles explore foundational themes in Positive Youth Development (PYD). The first examines youth development programs in Kenya, uncovering six key areas for improvement, including addressing education-job skill mismatches, promoting creative arts and entrepreneurship, navigating reproductive and psychosocial health, and overcoming political tribalism. The second article investigates the role of resilience and grit in equipping youth to overcome challenges and thrive, presenting a conceptual model and actionable strategies for youth development professionals to integrate these constructs into their work.
In our Program and Practice article, a Liberian youth development study showcases how Appreciative Inquiry can guide culturally sensitive and impactful research in majority world contexts. This article highlights the potential for cross-cultural research teams to navigate linguistic, cultural, and geographic barriers while contributing to the global understanding of youth development.
The Research and Evaluation section features five diverse studies with direct implications for youth-serving organizations. One study evaluates the “Facilitate the Awesome” short course, demonstrating its success in equipping adults with skills to better engage with adolescents. Another highlights the positive impacts of sports camps for visually impaired youth, emphasizing gains in perceived competence and independence that can support smoother transitions to adulthood. Mental health is a key focus of two articles: a case study from the 2023 National Scout Jamboree introduces a three-tier model for providing mental health services in camp settings, while a broader exploration underscores the critical role camps can play in addressing the mental health crisis among youth. Finally, a study on equine-assisted programs for youth with ADHD identifies the potential of breed association youth activities to foster life skills and support academic and career goals.
We invite you to explore the full issue to discover innovative practices and strategies that can enhance your work with young people. We also thank the authors who have chosen JYD as the platform for their scholarly work, as well as to the reviewers who have generously contributed their time and expertise to JYD through their service. Special acknowledgement and thanks to the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) and the National Afterschool Association (NAA) for sponsoring and guiding the journal.
We also extend appreciation to the JYD community, as well as to our readers and visitors, for actively engaging with the journal as a valuable resource for exploring the study and practice of youth development.
Please visit our website to access articles and follow JYD on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter (@JournalYouthDev) to stay updated on the latest news and developments.
Announcement Text
Good day JYD Readers,
The Journal of Youth Development (JYD) has published its latest issue (19.4) at https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/jyd.
We are excited to announce the latest issue of the Journal of Youth Development, featuring eight articles that address critical challenges and opportunities facing young people, offering evidence-based insights and practical strategies to inform youth development programming and policy.
Two Feature Articles explore foundational themes in Positive Youth Development (PYD). The first examines youth development programs in Kenya, uncovering six key areas for improvement, including addressing education-job skill mismatches, promoting creative arts and entrepreneurship, navigating reproductive and psychosocial health, and overcoming political tribalism. The second article investigates the role of resilience and grit in equipping youth to overcome challenges and thrive, presenting a conceptual model and actionable strategies for youth development professionals to integrate these constructs into their work.
In our Program and Practice article, a Liberian youth development study showcases how Appreciative Inquiry can guide culturally sensitive and impactful research in majority world contexts. This article highlights the potential for cross-cultural research teams to navigate linguistic, cultural, and geographic barriers while contributing to the global understanding of youth development.
The Research and Evaluation section features five diverse studies with direct implications for youth-serving organizations. One study evaluates the “Facilitate the Awesome” short course, demonstrating its success in equipping adults with skills to better engage with adolescents. Another highlights the positive impacts of sports camps for visually impaired youth, emphasizing gains in perceived competence and independence that can support smoother transitions to adulthood. Mental health is a key focus of two articles: a case study from the 2023 National Scout Jamboree introduces a three-tier model for providing mental health services in camp settings, while a broader exploration underscores the critical role camps can play in addressing the mental health crisis among youth. Finally, a study on equine-assisted programs for youth with ADHD identifies the potential of breed association youth activities to foster life skills and support academic and career goals.
We invite you to explore the full issue to discover innovative practices and strategies that can enhance your work with young people. We also thank the authors who have chosen JYD as the platform for their scholarly work, as well as to the reviewers who have generously contributed their time and expertise to JYD through their service. Special acknowledgement and thanks to the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) and the National Afterschool Association (NAA) for sponsoring and guiding the journal.
We also extend appreciation to the JYD community, as well as to our readers and visitors, for actively engaging with the journal as a valuable resource for exploring the study and practice of youth development.
Please visit our website to access articles and follow JYD on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter (@JournalYouthDev) to stay updated on the latest news and developments.
Best,
Barry A. Garst
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Youth Development