2012/10/05 by Shepherd Zeldin, Brian D. Christens, Jane L. Powers +1 · 404 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Bridging (networking) #Civic engagement #Community Health and Development #Community psychology #Construct (python library) #Developmental psychology #Early Childhood Education and Development #Gender studies #General partnership #Health psychology #Medicine #Political science #Positive Youth Development #Psychology #Public health #Public relations #Reciprocity (cultural anthropology) #Social connectedness #Social psychology #Sociology #Youth Development and Social Support #Youth studies
paper · doi:10.1007/s10464-012-9558-y
published in American Journal of Community Psychology 51(3-4), 385-397 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2012/10/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Youth-adult partnership (Y-AP) has become a phenomenon of interest to scholars and practitioners. Despite the potential of Y-AP to promote positive youth development, increase civic engagement, and support community change, the practice remains unfamiliar to many. Although research has increased over the past decade, the construct remains vague with an insufficient grounding in developmental theory and community practice. This article seeks to address these gaps by synthesizing data and insights from the historical foundations of Y-AP, community based research, and case study. We propose Y-AP as a unifying concept, distinct from other forms of youth-adult relationships, with four core elements: authentic decision making, natural mentors, reciprocity, and community connectedness. We conclude that Y-AP functions as an active ingredient and fundamental practice for positive youth development and civic engagement. Directions for future research are offered.