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Researchers are seeking 4-H members to participate 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development

Five smiling teenagers touching shoulder to shoulder

Researchers of youth development from Tufts University and Boston College have started a new study examining adolescents’ beliefs, behaviors, and involvement in youth development programs. This study seeks to understand how youth develop in positive ways!

From 2002 to 2012, Professors Richard Lerner and Jacqueline Lerner conducted the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD), a study of thriving across the adolescent years. The findings from the 4-H Study of PYD have been adopted across the nation and the world! With this new study, we aim to find out if the findings from the original study can be applied to current adolescents.

We would love for your child to be part of our study!

We are interested in hearing from 6th through 11th grade youth enrolled in 4-H in West Virginia! Participation will include filling out a 30-40 minute online survey. The survey will ask your child about activities, opinions, behaviors, and involvement in youth development programs. We will also ask if they would like to fill out follow-up surveys two more times across the next year. Youth will complete the surveys online.

All the information we collect is completely confidential. Your child’s participation is completely voluntary.

Youth Compensation

  • The first 60 youths to register for the study that meet the sample guidelines will be provided a $50 gift card at the completion of all three surveys.
  • The second 60 youths to register for the study that meet the sample guidelines will be eligible to be entered into a raffle to win one of two $50 gift cards at the completion of all three surveys.

If you are interested in having your child be a part of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, email MKruger@mail.wvu.edu, call 304-293-8160, or register in ZSuite.

Register in 4-H ZSuite

Thank you!

Your participation is what makes our research possible!

WVU IRB Acknowledgement

The West Virginia University Institutional Review Board's approval of this project is on file with the WVU Office of Human Research Protections. If you have any questions about this research project, please feel free to contact Megan Kruger, Principal Investigator at 304-293-8160 or by email at MKruger@mail.wvu.edu. Additionally, you can contact the WVU Office of Human Research Protections at 304-293-7073.