What Are The Key Features Of Supportive Relationships

Program Feature: Supportive Relationships One of the key features necessary to a successful positive youth development program is the opportunity to create and maintain supportive relationships. Over time, developmental theorists created a list of core assets that are critical to successful development among adolescents. Among these assets are the need for social security and attachment, trust, and positive relationships with adults (Eccles, J., Appleton, J.A. 2002). In Community Programs to Promote Youth Development, the authors divided those key assets into four separate categories that are key to successful youth development. Those categories are physical health, cognitive development, psychological/emotional development, and social development. Social development is characterized by feelings of connectedness and value, strong relationships with peers and adults, and connections to other social institutions such as schools or youth programs (Eccles, J., Appleton, J.A. 2002). One of the key aspects of this asset is the need for youth to have supportive relationships with their peers and with adults. Evidence has shown that

Research has found that “supportive relationships lead to better decision making, lower levels of stress, higher academic achievement, healthier relationships, lower levels of drug and alcohol use” (Piha, S., Adams, A. 2001). They can also lead to higher self-esteem, higher rates of physical activity, and higher rates of birth control use (Grossman, J.B., Bulle, M.J. 2006). Building supportive relationships with adults is also critical when creating programs for adolescents as they strive to differentiate themselves from their parents (Grossman, J.B., Bulle, M.J. 2006). Research has also shown that having a supportive, caring relationship is key in developing resiliency in youth (Grossman, J.B., Bulle, M.J.