4-H Study of Positive Youth Development

Over the years, 4-H has provided millions of youth with opportunities to develop their leadership, citizenship and life skills that have helped them become community leaders, successful professionals, astronauts, entertainers, professional athletes — whatever they dreamed. Now, the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development led by Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D., professor at Tufts University in cooperation with the University of Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development provides scientific evidence that young people in 4-H Youth Development programs benefit from 4-H.

Youth involved in 4-H experience high levels of positive youth development (PYD); are more likely to contribute to themselves, their families and their communities; and are good citizens. PYD is a strength-based perspective of adolescence that emphasizes the potential for youth to successfully grow into mature adults.

The study, which was sponsored by National 4-H Council in Washington, D.C., is the first-ever longitudinal study to measure the characteristics of PYD. It involves more than 4,793 youth and 2,000 parents from 34 states and measures the impact personal and social factors have on a young person’s development. Overall, study researchers are finding that involvement in 4-H makes a difference. Participating in high-quality youth development programs like 4-H plays a critical role in helping young people achieve success.

Missouri 4-H joined the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development in 2007 (Wave 5) when 338 Missouri students at 21 sites completed the survey. In 2008 (Wave 6), 296 Missouri youth were surveyed.  Those students will be asked to complete the survey for at least two more years.

National

• 4-H Study Fact Sheet 2009 (PDF)

• 4-H and SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) Wave 6 National Findings (PDF)

• 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development 5 Year Report 2009 (PDF)

• National 4-H Study of PYD – Brochure (PDF 3.45 MB)

• 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development 4 Year Report 2008 (PDF)

NEW! 
Missouri 4-H Study Wave 6

• Missouri 4-H and the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development Report (PDF)

• Missouri 4-H - Wave 6 Site Reports 2009 (PDF)

• Overview Wave 6

• Overview April 2009 (web-based 52 slides)

• Overview April 2009 in PowerPoint (3.72 MB-40 slides)

• 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development Poster

• In Microsoft PowerPoint (1.13 MB)

• Talking points Wave 6 article "Active 4-H'ers Excel!" (PDF)

Missouri 4-H Study Wave 5

• 4-H in the News Article - Active 4-H'ers Excel!

• Missouri 4-H and the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development Report (PDF)

• Missouri 4-H - Wave 5 Site Reports 2008 (PDF)

• Overview Wave 5

• Overview August 2008 (web-based 40 slides)

• Overview October 2008 (web-based 16 slides)

• Overview August 2008 in PowerPoint (1.11 MB- 40 slides)
   

• Missouri Youth Attitudes towards Science and Technology (PDF)

• 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development Poster

• In Microsoft PowerPoint (1 MB)
   
• In PDF