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Publications

Search Institute publications provide a wealth of information and analysis to help you understand and strengthen relationships with young people. Below, you’ll find links to research-to-practice reports, peer-review publications, literature reviews, and scholarly articles that share and apply findings from our research.

2024

Positioning Mentors as Social Capital Builders

Insights & Evidence Series. Minneapolis: Search Institute.

Authors: A. A. Boat, E. Van Steenis, H. Poparad

2023

Thriving and Sparks

Encyclopedia of Adolescence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32132-5_199-2

Authors: P.C. Scales, N. Redmond, P.L. Benson

2023

Illuminating Positive Mechanisms: An Impact Evaluation of the DREAM program

Illuminating Positive Mechanisms: An Impact Evaluation of the DREAM program (Report to the Corporation for National and Community Service)

Authors: Ashley A. Boat, Diane Hsieh, Chen-Yu Wu, Heather Poparad, Faith Opakunle

2022

Embedding research-based practices: Learnings from the TUTOR Project

Embedding research-based practices: Learnings from the TUTOR Project

Authors: Diane Hseih

2022

The elements of Developmental Relationships: A review of selected research underlying the framework

The elements of Developmental Relationships: A review of selected research underlying the framework

Authors: Peter C. Scales, Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Benjamin J. Houltberg

2022

A Comparison of Contexts: How the Performing Arts, Sports, and Nature Conservation Foster Positive Youth Development

A Comparison of Contexts: How the Performing Arts, Sports, and Nature Conservation Foster Positive Youth Development

Authors: Ashley A. Boat, Alyssa Scott, Peter C. Scales, Amy K. Syvertsen

2021

Building Relationships and Addressing Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Insights & Evidence Series. Minneapolis: Search Institute.

Authors: Search Institute

2021

The State of Relationships: Young People’s Relationships with Adults in Minnesota Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs

[Insights & Evidence Series]. Minneapolis: Search Institute. Report for the Carlson Family Foundation.

Authors: A. A. Boat, A. K. Syvertsen, C Eisenberg

2020

Competing discourses of power in teachers’ stories of challenging relationships with students

Power and Education, 1-18. doi:10.1177/1757743820931118

Authors: R. Chamberlain, P. C. Scales, J. Sethi

2020

Effects of developmental relationships on middle-school students’ motivation and performance

Psychology in the Schools Doi.org/10.1002/pits.22350

Authors: P. C. Scales, M. Van Boekel, A. K. Syvertsen, E. C. Roehlkepartain

2020

Examinations of Change in Inhibitory and Initiatory Self-Control in the Context of Endurance Running

Journal of Applied Sport Psychology doi: 10.1080/10413200.2020.1787553

Authors: J. Shubert, B. Houltberg, J. Ratchford, S Schnitker

2020

Differentiation as discrepancies in adolescent’s perceptions of patience: An illustration of response surface analysis

The Journal of Positive Psychology

Authors: Jennifer Shubert, Juliette Ratchford, Benjamin Houltberg, Sarah Schnitker

2020

The Intersection of Developmental Relationships, Equitable Environments, and SEL

[Insights & Evidence Series]. Minneapolis, MN

Authors: Search Institute

2020

Defining and Measuring Social Capital for Young People: A Practical Review of the Literature on Resource-Full Relationships

Minneapolis: Search Institute. Report for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Authors: P. C. Scales, A. Boat, K. Pekel

2020

"It Was a Support Network System that Made Me Believe in Myself": Understanding Youth and Young Adults’ Experiences of Social Capital in Six Innovative Programs

Minneapolis: Search Institute. Report for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Authors: A. Boat, J. Sethi, C. Eisenberg, R. Chamberlain

2019

Developmental Assets

In D. T. L. Shek & J. Leung (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development: Volume 7: History, Theory, & Culture in Adolescence. New York, NY: Wiley.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain, D. A. Blyth

2019

Academic year changes in student-teacher developmental relationships and their linkage to middle and high school students’ motivation: A mixed methods study

The Journal of Early Adolescence doi:10.1177/0272431619858414

Authors: P. C. Scales, K. Pekel, J. Sethi, R. Chamberlain, M. Van Boekel

2019

Conservation leadership: A developmental model

Journal of Adolescent Research, 34(2), doi:10.1177/0743558417752638

Authors: T. K. Sullivan, A. K. Syvertsen

2019

The developmental assets framework revisited: Confirmatory analysis and invariance testing to create a new generation of assets measures for applied research

Applied Developmental Science [online first], 1-19. doi:10.1080/10888691.2019.1613155

Authors: A. K,. Syvertsen, P. C. Scales, R. B. Toomey

2019

Are developmental assets protective against suicidal behavior? Differential associations by sexual orientation

Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48(4), 788-801. doi:10.1007/s10964-018-0954-y

Authors: R. B. Toomey, A. K. Syvertsen, M. Flores

2019

The role of family civic context in character development across childhood and adolescence

Applied Developmental Science. doi: 10.1080/10888691.2019.1683452

Authors: J. Shubert, L. Wray-Lake, A. K. Syvertsen, A. Metzger

2019

A place to belong: How youth think about growing up—and staying—in the Itasca area

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, and Grand Rapids, MN: SPARK—Stronger Futures for All.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2019

Good friends … Online & in person: How Itasca area youth think about friends and social media

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, and Grand Rapids, MN: SPARK—Stronger Futures for All.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2019

Helping kids thrive at home: How Itasca area youth experience strength and resilience in their relationships with parents and grandparents

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, and Grand Rapids, MN: SPARK—Stronger Futures for All.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2019

Learning through relationships: How strong connections with teachers propel student motivation in school

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, and Grand Rapids, MN: SPARK—Stronger Futures for All.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2019

Opportunities to grow: Relationships, activities, interests, and activities that engage Itasca area youth beyond the school day

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, and Grand Rapids, MN: SPARK—Stronger Futures for All.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2019

Keep the fun in youth sports by helping kids love the game more than how they perform

Blog for the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Authors: P. C. Scales

2019

Mental and emotional training for tennis: Compete—learn—honor

Monterey, CA: Coaches Choice

Authors: P. C. Scales

2019

Moving Beyond Relationships Matter: An Overview of One Organization’s Work in Progress

Journal of Youth Development 14(4) doi:10.5195/jyd.2019.909

Authors: K. Pekel

2018

Developmental approach to work readiness for youth: Focus on transferable skills

In S. Verma & A. Petersen (Eds.), Developmental Science and Sustainable Development Goals for Children and Youth. Social Indicators Research Series, vol. 74. New York, NY: Springer.

Authors:

2018

Finding the fluoride: Examining how and why developmental relationships are the active ingredient in interventions that work

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 88(5), 493-502. doi:10.1037/ort0000333

Authors: K. Pekel, E. C. Roehlkepartain, A. K. Syvertsen, P. C. Scales, T. K. Sullivan, J. Sethi

2018

Developmental assets and developmental relationships

In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. doi:10.4135/9781506307633.n211

Authors: P. C. Scales

2018

The contribution of nonfamily adults to adolescent well-being: A global research and policy perspective

In J. E. Lansford & P. Banati (Eds.), Handbook of Adolescent Development Research and Its Impact on Global Policy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Authors: P. C. Scales

2018

Youth voice, engagement, and opportunities for decision-making

In P. A. Witt & L. L. Caldwell (Eds.), Youth Development: Principles and Practices in Out-of-School Time Settings. Urbana, IL: Sagamore-Ventures Publishing.

Authors: T. K. Sullivan, R. N. Saito, R. Chamberlain

2018

Transgender adolescent suicide behavior

Pediatrics, 142(4), e20174218.

Authors: R. B. Toomey, A. K. Syvertsen, M. Shramko

2018

Becoming who they want to be: A cross-national examination of value-behavior concordance and mindfulness in adolescence

Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(6), 605-616. http://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2017.1350741

Authors: M. T. Warren, L. Wray-Lake, A. K. Syvertsen

2018

Being a Latinx adolescent under a Trump presidency: Analysis of Latinx youth’s reactions to immigration politics

Children and Youth Services Review. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.02.032

Authors: L. Wray-Lake, R. Wells, L. Alvis, S. Delgado, A. K. Syvertsen, A. Metzger

2018

The intersection of emotional and sociocognitive competencies with civic engagement in middle childhood and adolescence

Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(8), 1663-1683. doi: 10.1007/s10964-018-0842-5

Authors: A. Metzger, L. M. Alvis, B. Oosterhoff, E. Babskie, A. K. Syvertsen, L. Wray-Lake

2018

Examining character structure and function across childhood and adolescence

Child Development, 90(40, 505-524. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13035

Authors: J. Shubert, L. Wray-Lake, A. K. Syvertsen, A. Metzger

2018

Becoming who they want to be: A cross-national examination of value-behavior concordance and mindfulness in adolescence

The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1-12. doi:10.1080/17439760.2017.1350741

Authors: M. T. Warren, L. Wray-Lake, A. K. Syvertsen

Digging into family relationships: What really matters?

Blog for the National Center for Families Learning

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2018

Remember the relationships: The missing link that makes measures of students’ social and emotional learning more understandable and actionable

Blog for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning

Authors: P. C. Scales, K. Pekel

2017

A developmental assets approach in East Africa: Can Swahili measures capture adolescent strengths and supports?

Child & Youth Care Forum, 41(1). doi:10.1007/s10566-017-9415-0

Authors: C. F. Drescher, L. R. Johnson, A. S. Kurz, P. C. Scales, R. P. Kiliho

2017

Protective factors for the college years: Establishing the appropriateness of the Developmental Assets Model for emerging adults

Current Psychology, 37(1), doi:10.1007/s12144-016-9488-1

Authors: T. J. Pashak, P. J. Handal

2017

The Recipe of Youth Success

[Stanford Social Innovation Review] Stanford University, and Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society.

Authors: K. Pekel

2017

Beyond the family: How Itasca Area adults can–and do–create caring, strong connections with youth

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, and Grand Rapids, MN: SPARK—Stronger Futures for All

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2017

Relationships first: Creating connections that help young people thrive

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.34486.09282

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain, K. Pekel, A. K. Syvertsen, J. Sethi, T. K. Sullivan, P. C. Scales

2017

A snapshot of developmental relationships between parents and youth

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain, A. K. Syvertsen, C.-W. Yu

2017

High-quality OST activities and programs: Using the RISE approach (Relationships, interests and sparks, and empowerment) to promote thriving in youth and their settings

In H. J. Malone & T. Donahue (Eds.), The Growing Out-of-School Time Field: Past, Present, and Future. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing

Authors: P. C. Scales

2017

Promoting social and emotional learning in the middle and high school years

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Issue brief. State College, PA: Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University.

Authors: C. E. Domitrovich, A. K. Syvertsen, S. S. Calin

2016

Thriving in school: The role of sixth-grade adolescent–parent–school relationships in predicting eighth-grade academic outcomes

Youth & Society, 48(6), 739-762. doi: 10.1177/0044118X13512858

Authors: D. F. Perkins, A. K. Syvertsen, C. Mincemoyer, S. M. Chilenski, J. R. Olson, E. Berrena, R. Spoth

2016

The dimensions of successful young adult development: A conceptual and measurement framework

Applied Developmental Science, 20 (3), 150-174. doi:10.1080/10888691.2015.1082429

Authors: P. C. Scales, P. L. Benson, S. Oesterle, K. Hill, J. D. Hawkins, T. J. Pashak

2016

Developmental assets and sexual and reproductive health among 10-to 14-year-olds in Northern Uganda

International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies, 7(1), 45-64. doi:10.18357/ijcyfs.71201615416

Authors: P. C. Scales, M. Shramko, K. Ashburn

2016

Parental, community, and familial support interventions to improve children’s literacy in developing countries: A systematic review

Campbell Systematic Reviews. 4. doi:10.4073/csr.2016.4

Authors: E. T. Spier, P.R. Britto, T. Pigott, E. C. Roehlkepartain, M. McCarthy, Y. Kidron, M. Song, P. C. Scales, D. Wagner, J. Lane, J. Glover

2016

How children understand civic actions: A mixed methods perspective

Journal of Adolescent Research, 31(5), 507-535. doi: 10.1177/0743558415610002

Authors: A. Metzger, A. K. Syvertsen, B. Oosterhoff, E. Babskie, L. Wray-Lake

2016

Exploring associations of character profiles and out-of-school time activities among children and adolescents

Journal of Character Education, 12(6)

Authors: J. Shubert, L. Wray-Lake, A. Metzger, A. K. Syvertsen

2016

Measuring multidimensional constructs from a developmental perspective: An example from the field of civic development

Applied Developmental Science, 21, 266-284. doi: 10.1080/10888691.2016.1205495

Authors: L. Wray-Lake, A. Metzger, A. K. Syvertsen

2016

Developmental change in social responsibility during adolescence: An ecological perspective

Developmental Psychology, 52, 130-142. doi: 10.1037/dev0000067

Authors: L. Wray-Lake, A. K. Syvertsen, C. A. Flanagan

The crucial coaching relationship

Phi Delta Kappan. 97(8)

Authors:

2016

Keep the fun in youth sports by helping kids love the game more than how they perform

[Blog for the Positive Coaching Alliance]

Authors: P. C. Scales

2016

The power of peer relationships: A study of peer programs in the United States (summary)

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute

Authors: T. K. Sullivan, J. Sethi, E. C. Roehlkepartain

2015

Brief report: Assessing youth well-being in global emergency settings: Early results from the Emergency Developmental Assets Profile

Journal of Adolescence, 45, 98-102. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.09.002

Authors: P. C. Scales, E. C. Roehlkepartain, T. Wallace, A. Inselman, P. Stephenson, M. Rodriguez

2015

Don’t Forget the Families The Missing Piece in America’s Effort to Help All Children Succeed: Summary of Key Findings

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.

Authors: K. Pekel, E. C. Roehlkepartain, A. K. Syvertsen, P. C. Scales

2015

Don’t forget the families: The missing piece in America’s effort to help all children succeed

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.

Authors: K. Pekel, E. C. Roehlkepartain, A. K. Syvertsen, P. C. Scales

2015

25 years of developmental assets: Personal reflections (and a little data)

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain

2015

Don’t forget the families—technical appendix

Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.

Authors: A. K. Syvertsen, C.-Y. Wu, E. C. Roehlkepartain, P. C. Scales

2014

Family strengths and resilience: Insights from a national study.

Reclaiming Children and Youth, 23

Authors: E. C. Roehlkepartain, A. K. Syvertsen