Physical and psychological safety research review
Research ReportAPA Citation:
The University of Minnesota Center for Research and Outreach. (2017). Physical and psychological safety research review. Retrieved from: www.MilitaryREACH.org
Abstract Created by REACH:
Positive youth development is supported by a myriad of individual, family, and community factors. These factors, both positive and negative, comprise youth’s environments. Nurturing, positive environments (e.g., youth programs, schools) have an important role in increasing positive youth development (Biglan, Flay, Embry, & Sandler, 2012; Bradshaw, Waasdorp, Debnam, & Johnson, 2014). In other words, youth programs are one of the aspects of youth’s environments that can bolster their development. One way youth programs successfully support positive youth development is by creating an environment where youth, youth workers, and administrators are safe from physical and psychological harm. Many youth report attending youth programs to avoid violence in their neighborhoods (e.g., Halpern, Barker, & Mollard, 2000), so it is imperative that youth programs offer a safe alternative within youth’s communities. The presence of physical and psychological safety in youth programs helps to provide a setting where youth can maximize learning new skills, engagement in enjoyable activities, and development of positive personal characteristics and relationships (Eccles & Gootman, 2002). As such, safety, both psychological and physical, is regarded as one of eight features of a high-quality youth program (Yohalem & Wilson-Ahlstrom, 2010).
Focus:
Youth
Subject Affiliation:
Civilian
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Methodology:
Review of Literature
Authors:
The University of Minnesota Center for Research and Outreach
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
The University of Minnesota Center for Research and Outreach
Publication Type:
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
The University of Minnesota Center for Research and Outreach
Keywords:
youth development, physical safety, psychological safety, nurturing environments
Location:
University of Minnesota
REACH Publication Type:
Research Report
Sponsors:
Department of Defense between the Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture through a grant/cooperative agreement Award No. 2009-48667-05833 with The University of Minnesota