Occupational therapy in positive youth development

ABSTRACT

Childhood adversity can seriously impact individuals’ immediate and later-life health and wellbeing. Physical, emotional, and social wellbeing is intricately linked to person and environmental factors, and specific behaviour choices. While some individuals are able to thrive despite difficult life circumstances, others need support to learn new behaviour patterns that bring forth resilience. Communities can play a central role in helping adolescents develop important assets that contribute to a healthy and fulfilling life. However, communities need equal support to effectively address adolescent health and development. Community capacity can be built through collaboration between community members and occupational therapists who understand how to support adolescent health and development through the active engagement in occupations. This paper highlights the process and outcomes of a positive youth development program situated in a faith-based community in Northern Poland. Implications for occupational therapy practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• At-risk-youth
• community capacity
• community-based practice
• health promotion
• occupation based practice
• positive youth development

Acknowledgements

This article reflects parts of work completed by the author to attain her doctorate degree in occupational therapy at Pacific University, in Hillsboro, Oregon. The author would like to thank her academic advisor Dr. Sandra Rogers for her guidance during her doctoral internship and throughout her academic career. In addition, the author would like to thank her partnering organization for their collaboration and support in this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.