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Developmental Assets

What Are Developmental Assets?

The Developmental Assets are 40 positive values, experiences, and qualities that help kids succeed. The assets influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

Download a list of the assets.
Find out more about the eight asset categories.

Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, the Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to lead successful lives. Because of its basis in research and its proven effectiveness, the Developmental Assets framework has become the single most widely used approach to positive youth development in the United States.

The Developmental Assets form the basis for all of MVParents.com, the only parenting site founded on assets. By building assets with and for your children, you can ensure that they will have the skills, tools, and experiences they need to grow into successful adults who make good decisions for themselves and positively influence those around them. Assets have power for all young people, regardless of gender, economic status, and race or ethnicity.

For more on Developmental Assets, see What Kids Need: Developmental Assets at Search Institute.

Why Do Assets Matter?

Studies of more than 2.2 million young people in the United States have shown that kids who experience more assets are less likely to get into trouble, use drugs, and engage in sexual activity, violence, gambling, and other high-risk behaviors. They’re also more likely to be successful, do well in school, and help others.

See the charts below for examples of how assets affect children:

(The following information is based on surveys of almost 150,000 6th- to 12th-grade youth in 202 communities across the United States in calendar year 2003.1)

  0–10 Assets 11–20 Assets 21–30 Assets 31–40 Assets
Problem Alcohol Use 45% 26% 11% 3%
Violence 62% 38% 18% 6%
Illicit Drug Use 38% 18% 6% 1%
Sexual Activity 34% 23% 11% 3%
  0–10 Assets 11–20 Assets 21–30 Assets 31–40 Assets
Exhibits Leadership 48% 66% 78% 87%
Maintains Good Health 27% 48% 69% 88%
Values Diversity 39% 60% 76% 89%
Succeeds in School 9% 19% 34% 54%

For more examples, see Developmental Assets Research at Search Institute.

Practical Resources

  • The Asset Approach: 40 Elements of Healthy Development —This booklet contains a list of the Developmental Assets, the latest Search Institute research, and an overview of the asset-building approach to youth development. Quick, easy-to-read, and sold in packs of 20, The Asset Approach is perfect for spreading the asset message.
  • Pass It On! Ready-to-Use Handouts for Asset Builders —The handouts contained within this book are designed for asset builders to quickly and effectively spread the asset message. The 90 handouts, available in print and on CD, will help any adult advocate for youth. Also includes Spanish materials.
  • 40 Ways Anyone Can Build Assets —Colorful, vibrant, and eye-catching, this poster will inspire individuals in your school, home, congregation, or community to be intentional about building assets with children.
  • 40 Developmental Assets Poster —Display the list of the 40 Developmental Assets on your wall to remind people around you to stimulate discussion about the assets and inspire others to take action.

Reference Materials

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1. Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth (Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, 2005), 2003 weighted aggregate dataset, unpublished report.

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