A Synthesis of the Scientific Research on Adolescent Development . Search Institute researchers Scales, senior fellow and a developmental psychologist, and Leffert, senior research scientist and developmental psychologist, spent two years examining and synthesizing findings from more than 800 scientific articles and reports on adolescent development that tie to each of the 40 developmental assets identified by Search Institute.
Developmental assets are important factors that shape young people's choices and behaviors.
However, much research undergirds each of the assets in the framework, and for the first time, all of this research has been compiled and summarized in one place. Scholars of youth development owe Scales, Leffert, and their colleagues at Search Institute a great debt for providing an exemplar of applied developmental science. . . . Founded in 1958, Search Institute is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that conducts scientific studies and translates the findings into practical programs, resources, and services for educators, youth-serving and religious professionals, parents, and community leaders. Major support for Search Institute's work on developmental assets is provided by Lutheran Brotherhood, a member-owned financial services organization of more than one million Lutherans joined together for financial security, outreach to church and community, and volunteer service.