st. joseph county profile of youth

St. Joseph County Profile of Youth

Search Institute results for 2004

Search Institute Study

Developmental Assets:

A Profile of youth in St. Joseph County

Developmental Assets

Search Institutes 40 developmental assets assesses the health and well being of youth. They represent a common core of building blocks crucial for all youth.

Search Institute studies summarizes the extent to which these assets exist in our community and how they impact behaviors.

Assets – 40 assets, 2 groups

External – Positive experiences and support one receives from formal and informal connections to others in the community

Internal – things a family and community nurture within youth so that they can contribute to their own development

External assets

1. Support

2. Empowerment

3. Boundaries/Expectations

4. Constructive use of time

Support

Refers to the way youth experience love and acceptance from their families as well as the community.

Empowerment

Relate to youths need to be valued and feel valuable. How do youth think they are viewed by the community and can they contribute to their society in a meaningful way?

Boundaries and Expectations

Refers to the need for youth to have clear AND enforced boundaries within family, school and in their neighborhood, or community. There needs to be consistent messages about appropriate and acceptable behavior.

Constructive use of time

Are there a wide variety of structured opportunities for youth to spend their time; whether through schools, community organizations or religious institutions?

Internal Assets

1. Commitment to learning

2. Positive Values

3. Social Competencies

4. Positive Identity

Commitment to Learning

Refers to the development of an intellectual curiosity and the skills to gain new knowledge and learn from experiences.

Positive Values

Our “internal compass” we use to guide our choices and set priorities.

Social Competencies Reflects the personal skills youth need to

make choices in society. They include;

1. Decision making

2. Interpersonal skills

3. Cultural competence

4. Resistance skills

5. Conflict resolution skills.

Positive Identity

Focuses on a young persons view of themselves, their own sense of power, purpose, worth and promise.

Indicators

The positive and negative consequences of developmental assets. There are 2 types identified in this study.

Thriving indicators – increase as asset levels rise

Deficits – increase as asset levels fall

Thriving IndicatorsEvidence that successful development is occurring

Succeeds in schoolHelps othersValues diversityMaintains good healthExhibits leadershipResists dangerDelays gratificationOvercomes adversity

Deficits – “the flip side”

These are countervailing influences that can interfere with healthy development, blocking development of assets and easing the way to risky behavioral choices. On their own, they do not necessarily do permanent harm, but each makes harm more possible

Deficits

Alone at home 2 hrs./day or moreTV overexposure 3 hrs./day or morePhysical Abuse 1 or more incidentVictim of Violence1 or more – past 2 yrs.Drinking parties 1 or more – past year

Search Institute – The Survey

The survey was conducted in April of 2004 with 956 students being surveyed in St. Joseph County. Grades included were 7, 9 and 11. 156 questions were posed to students to assess their assets, deficits, risk taking behaviors and thriving indicators.

Participating Schools

Centerville – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolColon – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolConstantine – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolMendon – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolSturgis – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolThree Rivers Jr. & Sr. High SchoolWhite Pigeon Jr. & Sr. High School

Search Institute Surveys“Risk taking and assets”

The survey asks the students about risk taking behaviors including drug use, violent behaviors and sexual activity. The behaviors are compared to the asset profiles, both positive and negative, to determine the relationship between asset levels and risk taking behavior.

Percent of the Surveyed Populationby Sex and Grade Level

2004 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

43

57

51 49 4852

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

MaleFemale

Number of Students Surveyed, by Grade Level

2002/4 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

721

347

712

354

672

254

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

# of

Stu

dent

s

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

2002 - opt out 2004- opt in

20022004

% of Surveyed Population by Race, 20042004 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

White86%

Black1%

Asian1%

Hispanic2%

Indian1%

Multi-racial8%

% of Surveyed Population by Race, 2002 2002 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

White86%

Black2%

Asian1%

Hispanic3%

Indian2%

Multi-racial5%

Family Structure, 2004 2004 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

72%

12%

4%

12%

2 Parent

1 parent -mom

1 parent- dad

Some mom/Somedad

Family Structure – 20022002 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

68%

16%

5%

11%

2 Parent

1 parent -mom

1 parent- dad

Some mom/Somedad

Parents Education2002/4 Search Institute

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cent

Grade school Some HS HS Grad Some College College Grad GraduateSchool

Mom

2002 - Mom2004 - Mom

Parents Education2002/4 Search Institute

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cen

t

Grade school Some HS HS Grad Some College College Grad GraduateSchool

Dad

2002 - Dad2004 - Dad

Average Number of Youth Assets, By Grade –SJ 2004 and 2002

2002/4 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

18.4 19.2 19.8 20.6

17.918.4

17.5

18.4

0

5

10

15

20

25

Total Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

SJ 2002SJ 2004

External Assets: Support, St. Joseph SI 2004 Compared to 2002

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Family 67 70

Positive Family Communication

29 33

Adult Relationships 42 50

Caring Neighborhood 36 39

Caring School Climate 24 28

Parent Involvement 31 35

External Assets: Empowerment,SI 2004 Compared to 2002

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Community Values Youth 21 23

Youth as Resources 23 25

Service to Others 51 53

Safety 52 51

External Assets: Boundaries and Expectations

SI 2004 and 2002

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Family Boundaries 46 50

School Boundaries 53 50

Neighborhood Boundaries

48 53

Adult Role Models 24 27

Positive Peer Influence 66 64

High Expectations 45 46

External Assets: Constructive Use of Time, SJ 2004 and 2002

SI 2004 and 2002% REPORTING

ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Creative Activities 17 17

Youth Programs 58 62

Religious Community 56 54

Time at Home 56 59

Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning, SJ 2004 and 2002

SI 2004 and 2002% REPORTING

ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Achievement Motivation

65 72

School Engagement 63 65

Homework 40 36

Bonding to School 52 57

Reading for Pleasure 23 21

Internal Assets: Positive Values, SJ 2004 and 2002

SI 2004 and 2002% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Caring 44 48

Equality/Social Justice

46 49

Integrity 65 70

Honesty 67 70

Responsibility 63 70

Restraint 47 50

Internal Assets: Social Competencies, SI 2004 and 2002

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Planning/Decision Making 27 26

Interpersonal Competence 43 44

Cultural Competence 37 36

Resistance Skills 41 43

Peaceful Conflict Resolution 46 44

Internal Assets: Positive Identity, SI 2004 and 2002

% REPORTING ASSET

SJ 2002 SJ 2004

Personal Power 43 46

Self-esteem 46 46

Sense of Purpose 55 54

Positive View of Future 74 76

Summary of Asset Levels 2002 vs. 2004Search Institute 2002/4

2002 2004

0-10 Assets 17% 14%

11-20 Assets 45% 43%

21-30 Assets 31% 35%

31-40 Assets 7% 8%

Note: 13% more kids with 20+ assets

13% may seem somewhat small, but with 1,000 kids…

Does anyone remember those thriving indicators? By all rights we aught to have higher levels. Well, how did we do?

Succeeds in SchoolSearch Institute Study 2002/4

20

27

21

2924 26

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Succeeds in School -Mostly A's -2002Succeeds- 2004

Is helpful to others Search Institute Study 2002/4

84 84 80 80 8284

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Helps others - 2002Helps others - 2004

Values Diversity Search Institute Study 2002/4

63 6258 61 56 55

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Values Diversity - 2002Values Diversity - 2004

Maintains Good Health Search Institute Study 2002/4

59 5954 53

4654

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Good Health - 2002Good Health - 2004

Exhibits Leadership Search Institute Study 2002/4

67 65 6775 74 75

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Leadership - 2002Leadership - 2004

Resists Danger Search Institute Study 2002/4

21 23

14 14

21

15

05

10152025

3035404550

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Resist danger - 2002Resist danger - 2004

Delays Gratification Search Institute Study 2002/4

45 4541

44 4239

05

101520

253035404550

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Delay Gratification -2002Delay Gratification -2004

Overcomes Adversity Search Institute Study 2002/4

72 74 75 77 7782

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Overcome Adversity -2002Overcome Adversity -2004

Deficits – a dirty word

Ok, let’s hear it. What about the bad stuff?

Alone at homeSearch Institute 2002/4

3834

4550 52 52

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Alone at home - 2002Alone at home - 2004

Too Much TV Search Institute 2002/4

4138

3341

34 32

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

TV > 3Hrs/Day - 2002

TV > 3Hrs./Day -2004

Physical Abuse – at home Search Institute 2002/4

3640 39 39

30 28

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Abuse - 2002Abuse - 2004

Victim of Violence Search Institute 2002/4

3237

3337

2532

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Violence - 2002Violence - 2004

Drinking Parties Search Institute 2002/4

23 18

5144

6663

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Drinking - 2002Drinking - 2004

Analysis of Specific Risk Behaviors

Comparison of 2004 Search Institute Asset Survey of

St. Joseph Youth with the 2003 Michigan YRBS and 2003 U.S. YRBS data

Comparison of Percentage of Students who Drank in the Past 30 Days

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

16

28

37 36.235

4447

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. JosephMichiganNational

Percentage of Students Riding with Driver who Drank – at least 1 time/past year

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

30

34

26

28

34

31 31

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

Per

cen

t

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Josephpast year

Michigan-past 30daysUS Past 30days

Percentage of Students Who Drove after Drinking – at least 1 time/past year

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

36 6 6

1713 15

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Josephlast year

Michiganlast 30daysNationallast 30days

Percentage of Students Who Smoked at least once in the last 30 days

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

11

19 18 17

24 23 24

05

101520253035404550

Per

cen

t

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. JosephMichigan National

Percentage of Students Who Smoked Regularly, last 30 days

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

4

97

6

19

12 11

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Josephsmoke/chewevery day

Michigancigarettes 20+last 30 days

US 20+dayslast 30 days

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who Used Smokeless Tobacco at Least Once

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

2

9

57

13

7 8

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph-in last year

Michiganlast 30 days

National last30 days

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who Used Marijuana at Least Once

2004 Search Institute Study

79

26 25

36

29

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Josephused last year - 2002

St. Josephused lastyear - 2004

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who Used Inhalants at least Once in Past Year

2004 Search Institute Study

12

16

97 7 6

02

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph-past year -2002

St. Joseph- past year2004

Comparison of Youth who had intercourse at least once

2004 Search Institute Study

1415

3027

29

4852 52

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph- at least 1time- 2002St. Joseph- at least 1time - 2004MI - atleast 1 time- 2003

St. Joseph Youth Attitude about Having Sex as a Teenager

2004 Search Institute Study

66

17

69

19

45

35

46

35 32

51

36

47

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Stronglyagreed/agreed itwas against values -2002

Strongly disagreedor disagreed it wasagainst values -2002

Stronglyagreed/againstvalues- 2004

Stronglydisagreed/againstvalues -2004

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who Felt Sad or Depressed – past 30 days

2004 Search Institute Study

15 1619 19

15 15

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Most or all of the time

St. Josephmost of timepast month -2002

St. Josephmost of timepast month -2004

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who attempted suicide at least once

2004 Search Institute Study

1517

22

1819

15

0

5

10

15

20

25

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph-ever - 2002

St. Joseph-ever - 2004

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who Carried a Weapon at Least Once

2004 Search Institute Study

13 1211

14 14

8

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph -past year -2002

St. Joseph -past year -2004

Percentage of Students in a Physical Fight in Past Year

2004 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2003, US-YRBS 2003

44 41 42

3536

38

31 31 33

26 2530

05

101520253035404550

Per

cent

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Michigan National

SJ 2002SJ 2004

Percentage of St. Joseph Students Ever Physically Harmed by Someone in the Family or Living with

Them 2004 Search Institute Study

3640 39 39

3028

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cent

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph2002

St. Joseph -2004

Students Attitudes about School2004 Search Institute

4748

56 54

6256

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Per

cen

t

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Usually feel boredat school - 2002

Usually feel boredat school - 2004

Students and Teachers2004 Search Institute

48 49

36 42 3747

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Per

cen

t

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

Strongly feel orfeel teacherscare about them- 2002

Strongly feel orfeel teacherscare about them- 2004

Percentage of Time Students Spend on Homework

2004 Search Institute Study

1112

2122

2829

22 19

1414

5 4

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cent

Zerohours

1/2 orless

1/2 to1

1 hour 2hours

3hours

Percent ofStudents -2002

Percent ofStudents - 2004

Percentage of Students by Grades Earned in School

2004 Search Institute Study

2 1 2 1

8 6 6 4

21

17

1110

2832

22

27

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cen

t

BelowD

D/C C/B B/A

Grades -2002

Grades -2004

Number of Evenings/Week Students Attend structured activities/ or go hang with friends

2004 Search Institute Study

34

171419 17

21

1217

79 8 7

42

49

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cen

t

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Number of Nights

StructuredActivities

Friends

Number of Hours/Day Students Watch TV or Videos

2004 Search Institute Study

5 3

16 1618 19

25 25

161620

21

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cen

t

0 <1 1 2 3 4

Number ofHours Spent

TV/Videos -2002

TV/Videos-2004

Truth – boys vs. girls2004 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

Telling the Truth, even when it is not easy…

51

12 10

2014

39 43

24

33

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cen

t

NotImportant

Somewhat Not Sure Quiteimportant

Extremelyimportant

BoysGirls

Average Number of Thriving Indicators based on Asset Level,

SJ 2002 Compared to 2004

2.7 3.2

4 3.9

4.9 5

6.1 6.1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Num

berT

hriv

ing

Indi

cato

rs

0-10 Asset 11-20 Asset 21-30 Asset 31-40 Asset

SJ 2002SJ 2004

Average Number of Risk Taking Behaviors based on Asset Level,

SJ 2004 Compared to 2002

9 8.8

5.1 5.4

2.5 2.4

1 0.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Nu

mb

er R

isk

Beh

av

iors

0-10 Asset 11-20 Asset 21-30 Asset 31-40 Asset

SJ 2002SJ 2004

Risks vs. Assets A no brain-erSearch Institute 2004

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cent

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

Asset level

Had sex 1 or moretimeGot intotrouble/policePhysically hurtsomeone

Risks vs. AssetsA no brain-er

Search Institute 2004

05

101520253035404550

Per

cen

t

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

Asset level

Gambled in last year

Bulemic or anorexicbehavior

Attempted suicide

Risks vs. AssetsA no brain-er

Search Institute 2004

05

1015202530354045

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

Asset level

Drank 3x/30 days

Skipped school2x/monthUsed drugs 3x/year

Thriving and AssetsWhat a world of difference

Search Institute 2004

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

Asset level

Succeeds in School

Resists danger

Delays gratification

Thriving and AssetsWhat a world of difference

Search Institute 2004

0102030405060708090

100

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

Asset level

Maintains goodhealthValues diversity

Overcomes adversity

Conclusions- what bubbled up

Areas of significant change(the good)

1. External asset – adult relationships – up more than 20%

2. Succeeds in school –thriving indicator – much higher

3. Attendance at drinking parties – down in all grade levels

4. Marijuana use among 11th graders – down 24 %

5. Suicide rates among 9th & 11th graders – down > 20%

6. More students feel teachers care about them

Areas of significant changeThe bad and some ugly

1. Inhalant use among 7th graders – up 33%

2. Smoking (regular) still very high – not new

3. 9th graders – watching TV – up 24%

4. Victim of violence status for 7th, 9th, and 11th graders

up 15 %, 12%, 28% respectively

5. 27% more 9th graders carried a weapon to school

6. Survey dataset drops by > 50% 2105- 2002 955-2004

Moving Forward

All young people need assets.Everyone can build assets – it requires positive

messages across a community It is ongoing – it begins at birth and continues

through your lifeRelationships are key – parent to child, peer to

peerPassing this information on to the community is

key in getting the ball rolling.