Helping Kids Succeed – Alaskan Style!

Practical Suggestions for Building Assets in Your Child

Asset # 3 – Other Adult Relationships

		Research Even though there is much less research on neighborhood and/or community support for youth, than on support by families and schools, the research has found that support from adults in the neighborhood can; Increase a youth's grades, make them appreciate their school, increase the likelihood that a youth will earn a high school diploma, and attain higher math scores. (Cochran & Bo, 1989; coon, Carey, & Fulker, 1992; Duncan, 1994; entwisle, Alexander, & Olson, 1994; Wenz-Gross et al., 1997; and others) Increase positive social behaviors in youth and decrease behavior problems among youth (Cochran & Bo, 1989; Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997) Less substance abuse (Levine & Rosich, 1996; Melton, 1992; Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997; Werner, 1993) Fewer feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and/or depression (Pretty et al., 1994; Rhodes, Ebert & Fischer, 1992) Greater self-esteem, higher hopes for the future, and cheerfulness (Talmi & Harter, 1998)
This newsletter and other asset resources are produced by the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement (Alaska ICE) 316 West 11th Street Juneau, Alaska 99801 Tel: (907) 586-1486 Fax: (907) 586-1450 Email: alaskaice@aasb.org