Longitudinal Description of Developmental Youth Assets and Substance Use: A Cohort Study of Rural Youth

Rural communities seeking strategies to enhance the well-being of their youth must have local data for guidance. As a concept, developmental youth assets is increasingly used in measuring the psycho-social health of adolescents. This longitudinal study focuses on a cohort of over 200 youths residing in a rural community located in northeast Ohio. This five-year study observes trends of eight assets and the use of three substances. Results show that a decrease in asset scores took place between the sixth and eighth grade while the use of substances increased between the eighth and tenth grades. Additionally, outcomes show that youths coming from households without two parents have lower assets scores and higher substance use rates compared to youth residing in two-parent households. Strategies used by this community upon obtaining results are discussed