The Positive Youth Development Lab researchers focus on studies that examine the development of adolescents and young adults in the contexts of family, school and community, and the embedded relationships in these contexts that contribute to overall development.
These studies are framed by a strength-based relational developmental systems approach that emphasizes the inherent potential, strengths, and capabilities youth hold. PYD differs from other approaches within youth development work in that it rejects an emphasis on trying to correct what is considered wrong with youth behavior or development, renouncing a problem-oriented lens. Instead, it seeks to cultivate various personal assets and external contexts known to be important to human flourishing and development.