The Interface of Family, School, and Community Factors for the Positive Development of Children and Youth

Abstract

In this issue, we examine the application of the ecological elements of family, school, and community on the developmental outcomes of children and youth. Five empirical articles then provide insight into the interaction of individual development, intelligence, and risk with contextual factors such as involvement, expectations, relationships, peers, and community. We conclude that individual child and youth outcomes are powerfully influenced by family involvement at a young age, but as age increases, this involvement becomes less salient. In youth considered “high risk,” family and community protective factors were not able to significantly improve child outcomes. We specifically recommend that practitioners target interventions for high risk audiences that are guided by assessments of the child's developmental and risk profiles.

KEYWORDS:

• ecological programming
• positive youth development
• prevention
• risk and protective factors