The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets
Helping Teens Prevent Risky Behavior and Promote Resiliency
Jun 9, 2009
The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets are “building blocks of healthy development….that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.” (Search Institute, 2006.)
Developmental Assets Structure
There are three lists of Developmental Assets; one each for Early Childhood (ages 3-5), Middle Childhood (ages 6-11), and Adolescents (ages 12-18). While very similar in scope, each set reflects the unique needs and development present within each age group. These building blocks represent a wide scope of traits, characteristics, and skill sets that promote positive development.
The 40 Developmental Assets are divided into External and Internal Assets, and further categorized into the following eight areas:
External Assets: Support, Empowerment, Boundaries and Expectations, and Constructive Use of Time.
Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies, and Positive Identity.
These eight core areas each contain four to six individual assets.
Developmental Assets Research
The Search Institute has conducted extensive research on the benefits of the Asset model. Nearly 20 years of study has supported asset development as key in promoting positive development and protecting against risky behavior.
A 2003 survey of nearly 150,000 6-12 graders showed that students with the most assets were LEAST likely to exhibit problems such as alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, sexual activity, school problems, violence, depression, and antisocial behavior. Students with more assets were also MORE likely to show positive attitudes and outcomes such as leadership, good health, valuing diversity, and school success.
For example, 38% of students reporting 1-10 assets were involved with illicit drug use, as compared with only 1% of students who reported 31-40 assets. 9% of students reporting 1-10 assets met with School Success, as compared to 54% of students reporting 31-40 assets. (The Search Institute, The Power of Assets, 2009).
How Youth Workers Can Build Assets
Anyone who works with kids can help them build assets. It’s likely that much of what adults who work with kids already do on a regular basis helps with asset development. But youth workers and parents who familiarize themselves with the list of assets can make a more conscious effort to interact with kids in a way that promotes positive asset development. They can easily review the assets and brainstorm ideas or activities that fit with each topic. The Search Institute also provides a number of resources youth workers can use to integrate the assets into their work with kids.
Developmental Assets Resources
The Search Institute's website contains a wide variety of resources youth workers, teachers, and parents can use to help kids build assets. It offers information on applying for grants, research reports, books and other publications, training opportunities, evaluation materials, surveys, and much more. There are also cool activity ideas and conversation generators that can be used right away in work with kids.
The Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets provide a common-sense, practical way to identify and build skills and attitudes that encourage healthy youth development. Adults who care about kids can use this model to enhance their work and relationships.
