Recently, there has been substantial interest in youth development as a strategy for reducing youth risk behaviors (e.g., sexual intercourse, tobacco, alcohol use). In a youth development framework, assets that youth and family have are viewed as protecting youth from problem behaviors. The HEART of OKC project (Healthy, Empowered, And Responsible Teens of Oklahoma City)is an asset-based prevention project and is one of 13 CDC-funded projects as part of a national teen pregnancy prevention initiative. The project used focus group and needs assessment data to identify 10 developmental assets (e.g., family communication, peer role models, decision-making skills, cultural respect, future aspirations) thought to be key to preventing risk-taking behaviors among youth residing in intervention neighborhoods. An asset measurement tool was needed to evaluate the project. Two pilot studies (N=199) were conducted in the initial steps toward developing the youth asset items, constructs, and evaluation tool. Next, a study of inner-city youth (Mean age=15.4±1.7 years; 52% female; 47% White, 22% African-American, 19% Hispanic, 10% Native American) and their parents was conducted using in-home interviews(N=1,350 youth/parent paired interviews) to investigate potential relationships among youth assets, demographic factors, and risk behaviors. The psychometric properties of the youth asset constructs were also determined. Eight of 10 asset constructs were comprised of multiple items with factor loadings ranging from .40 to .72, and Cronbach's Alphas ranging from .62 to .81. Additionally, the constructs were significantly related (p<.05) to several youth risk behaviors. These data suggest that youth assets can be assessed using a psychometrically-sound instrument.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss items that comprise each youth asset construct. 2. Discuss the reliability and validity of a youth asset measurement tool.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Evaluation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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