Positive youth development approach to support life skills of young people with chronic conditions
Positive Youth Development (PYD) is a theoretically founded, developmental framework that is strengths-based, incorporates ecological assets, and has been effective in supporting at-risk youth. A growing number of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic conditions will survive into adulthood, and thus greater focus on understanding their long-term development is paramount. This chapter presents the development of the PYD model from a historical and theoretical lens. It introduces Lerner and Lerner's 5Cs framework as an empirically supported perspective shown to positively impact long-term outcomes in at-risk youth. Next, the utility of the application of PYD to AYA with childhood onset chronic conditions (COCC) is examined. Finally, empirical evidence on PYD-based interventions and programs for AYA with COCC are described, and recommendations for practice are outlined. PYD remains a promising approach to support the development of positive assets and life skills in AYA with COCC.
