Youth Risk, Resilience, and Health Promotion

The Youth Risk, Resilience, and Health Promotion Thematic Area is concerned with several forms of youth and adolescent risk. Included are violence and youth aggression, bullying, and exposure to violence (including family violence and abuse).  Substance abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, risky sexual behaviors, crime and delinquency, and preadolescent predisposing factors are also considered.  Childhood and adolescent neglect is also an emerging area of focus.  Cultural issues, minority populations, and underserved groups are also of concern to this area.

In addition to risk behaviors, research in this area addresses prevention and intervention programs to address issues of violence and bullying, substance abuse, and sexual risk-taking. Positive youth development is also a characteristic of this group.