Developmental assets in emerging adulthood—Systematic review

Abstract

Characterizing emerging adulthood as a period of the life course has proven to be relevant in understanding development and intervention with a focus on a positive orientation in the life course trajectory. Characterized by individualization, this period implies that people are increasingly compelled to depend on their own resources to build their life course trajectory. Identifying which resources place the person on a positive developmental trajectory becomes more relevant. Within the field of the Positive Youth Development, the Developmental Assets® model specifically focuses on which resources, that is, which personal and contextual characteristics of emerging adults can favor a positive orientation in the trajectory of the life course. The objective of this investigation is to analyze the utilization of the Developmental Assets model in the emerging adult population. In the review process, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) protocol was applied. Research was conducted in July 2023 in electronic databases, namely: Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, ERIC, PsycArticles, SciELO and B-on. In this review, 13 articles published between 1999 and 2023 were included. Results indicate diversity in adopted methods, both on conceptualization of the concept and its operationalization. Results of the analysis of studies included indicate the relevance of applying the Developmental Assets model in emerging adults and the importance of its exploration in future investigations. The utilization of the model in the population of emerging adults is suggested as a strategy focusing on a positive developmental trajectory.