Reconnecting Disconnected Youth: Examining the Development of Productive Engagement

Abstract

Little is known about the developmental process of disconnected youth reengaging in more productive aspects of life. For this study, we examined the process of developing productive engagement among 38 disconnected youth who are either gang‐affiliated, involved with juvenile justice, or (and) homeless. These youth were reengaging into educational and workforce experiences through a comprehensive youth development center. Using a dynamic systems analytic strategy, we categorized upwards of 24 monthly assessments for each youth to determine their development of productive engagement. We found productive engagement does not develop along a homogeneous path. Instead, we found four different pathways. All youth had dips in their engagement, but those along more positive paths rebounded and continued on to graduation from the program.

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