Developmentally Appropriate Practice to Promote Healthy Adolescent Development: Integrating Research and Practice

Intervention models to promote healthy adolescent development highlight the importance of developmentally appropriate practice
(DAP); however, scant resources identifying DAP in relation to the relevant research are available. With the increased professionalization
of youth work and the expanding research on adolescent development, more comprehensive, research-based resources are needed
for the education and training of persons working to enhance youth outcomes.

To review research on adolescent development highlighting the relation of research and practice in promoting healthy youth
outcomes through DAP across the developmental stages of adolescence.

A two pronged review of the adolescent literature was conducted: (1) Research with a focus on biological, cognitive, and social
outcomes by age (9–11, 12–14, 15–17, and 18–19) and (2) Literature reviewing DAP strategies.

An overview of biological, cognitive, and social developmental outcomes by adolescent age group highlights the breadth of
development that occurs across adolescence. These outcomes are then related to examples of DAP, speaking to the range of skills
required by adults engaged in promoting healthy youth outcomes.

We conclude by exploring future directions to expand our understanding and application of adolescent research with an emphasis
on the incorporation of DAP in the development, implementation, and evaluation of youth work.