Insights
Published insights from our multi-method, rigorous research on positive youth development.
Search Institute research findings and insights have been used the world over to strengthen the developmental relationships that help young people learn, grow, and thrive. Our most powerful learning occurs at the nexus of theory, research, and practice.
We are driven by curiosity about what young people need to succeed — and how they contribute to their communities and the world. We are continually discovering new ways to shape and deepen developmental relationships by working in partnerships with youth-serving organizations.
Search Institute research is anchored in positive youth development approaches and is impacting several disciplines, including child development, family systems, prevention science, social learning, social capital, and community development.
Youth Development Research and Insights
Developmental Relationships
Developmental relationships are essential to help young people discover how to become their best selves.
Developmental Assets
Intentional asset-building begins by understanding young people’s experiences, strengths, and challenges.
Social Capital
Social capital can help young people develop the skills to succeed in school, navigate the job search process, and gain experience working in professional settings.
Sparks
A young person's deep interests, talents, or activities — their sparks!
Faith & Spirituality
Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other spiritual communities can be important communities and resources for many young people and their families.
Family Engagement
Our decades of research in positive youth development have taught us that family relationships are foundational to young people’s growth, learning, and well-being.
Developmental Relationships: The Roots of Positive Youth Development
Following a decade of work, we are excited to share a position paper that reflects on the last decade of research findings around developmental relationships and discusses how practitioners, parents, educators, and all who interact with and serve youth, can work together to encourage and support thriving among young people.
How do parents perceive teacher-student relationships and why do they matter?
National survey results show parents overwhelmingly agree that the relationships teachers forge with students play an important role in their growth.