st. joseph county profile of youth

St. Joseph County Profile of Youth

Search Institute Survey Results for 2006John Robertson, Director of Health Promotion & Education

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency

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 summarize 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 assets1. Support - Refers to the way youth experience love and acceptance from their

families as well as the community.

2. 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?

3. Boundaries/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

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

2. Positive Values - Our “internal compass” we use to guide our choices and set priorities.

3. Social Competencies - Reflects the personal skills youth need to make choices in society, including: Decision making, Interpersonal skills, Cultural competence, Resistance skills, Conflict resolution skills.

4. 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

DeficitsAlone 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 Survey - 2006

The survey was conducted in June of 2006 with 583 students 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. The total number of surveys compared to 2004 was down 39%. (Constantine Schools did not participate in 06’)

2006 Participating Schools

Centerville – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolColon – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolNottawa Community SchoolsMendon – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolSturgis – Jr. & Sr. High SchoolThree Rivers Jr. & Sr. High SchoolWhite Pigeon Jr. & Sr. High School

Percent of the Surveyed Population by Sex

2006 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

45

55

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Perc

ent

Gender

MaleFemale

Number of Students Surveyed by Grade2004-2006 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

3641

37 3627 23

0

20

40

60

80

100

Perc

ent o

f Stu

dent

s

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

2004- opt in 2006 - opt in

20042006

Percent of Population surveyed – By RaceSearch Institute Study 2004/2006

2004 Race/ethnicity

White86%

Black2%

Asian1%

Hispanic3%

Indian2%

Multi-racial5%

2006 Race/ethnicity

White86%

Black2%

Asian2%

Hispanic3%

Indian2%

Multi-racial7%

Family StructureSearch Institute Study 2004/2006

2004

12%

4%12%

72%

2006

13%

3%12%

72%

2 Parent

1 parent -mom

1 parent- dad

Some mom/Somedad

Parents Education2004-2006 Search Institute

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent

Grade school Some HS HS Grad Some College College Grad GraduateSchool

Mom

2004 - Mom2006 - Mom

Parents Education2004/2006 Search Institute

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent

Grade school Some HS HS Grad Some College College Grad GraduateSchool

Dad

2004 - Dad2006 - Dad

Average Number of Youth Assets, By Grade –SJ 2004 and 2006

2004/2006 Search Institute Study, St. Joseph County

19.2 20 20.6 21 18.4 20 18.418.3

0

5

10

15

20

25

Ass

ets

Total Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11

SJ 2004SJ 2006

Asset LevelsSearch Institute 2004/2006

National – 41% have 21 or more assets

2006

13%

34% 41%

12%0-1011-2021-3031-40

2004

42%

14%8%36%

0-1011-2021-3031-40

External Assets: Support SI 2004 Compared to 2006

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2006 SJ 2004 Family 75 70 Positive Family Communication

34 33

Adult Relationships – (non parent)

44 50

Caring Neighborhood 37 39 Caring School Climate 35 28 Parent Involvement 38 35

External Assets: Empowerment,SI 2004 Compared to 2006

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2006 SJ 2004 Community Values Youth

26 23

Youth as Resources 26 25 Service to Others 49 53 Safety –school, community & home

45 51

External Assets: Boundaries and Expectations SI 2004 and 2006

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2006 SJ 2004 Family Boundaries 55 50 School Boundaries 55 50 Neighborhood Boundaries 55 53

Adult Role Models 29 27 Positive Peer Influence 67 64 High Expectations 50 46

External Assets: Constructive Use of Time

SI 2004 and 2006

% REPORTING ASSET

SJ 2006 SJ 2004

Creative Activities 17 17 Youth Programs 61 62 Religious Community

60 54

Time at Home 67 59

Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning

SI 2004 and 2006

% REPORTING ASSET

SJ 2006 SJ 2004

Achievement Motivation

72 72

School Engagement 64 65 Homework 42 36 Bonding to School 65 57 Reading for Pleasure 20 21

Internal Assets: Positive Values SI 2004 and 2006

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2006 SJ 2004

Caring 49 48 Equality/Social Justice

46 49

Integrity 66 70 Honesty 72 70 Responsibility 68 70 Restraint 55 50

Internal Assets: Social Competencies, SI 2004 and 2006

% REPORTING ASSET SJ 2006 SJ 2004 Planning/Decision Making 29 26 Interpersonal Competence 42 44 Cultural Competence 37 36 Resistance Skills 49 43 Peaceful Conflict Resolution 46 44

Internal Assets: Positive Identity, SI 2004 and 2006

Source: SI 2004-2006

% REPORTING ASSET

SJ 2006 SJ 2004

Personal Power 48 46 Self-esteem 51 46 Sense of Purpose 59 54 Positive View of Future 78 76

Summary of Asset Levels 2004 vs. 2006Search Institute 2004/2006

2006 2004 0-10 Assets 12% 14% 11-20 Assets 41% 43% 21-30 Assets 34% 35% 31-40 Assets 13% 8%

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

Succeeds in School(gets good grades)

Search Institute Study 2004/2006

27 29 29

38

26 28

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Perc

ent


Succeeds- 2004Succeeds- 2006

Is helpful to others Search Institute Study 2004/2006

8479

80 8484

78

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent


Helps others - 2004Helps others - 2006

Values Diversity Search Institute Study 2004/2006

6262 61

5855

58

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent


Values Diversity - 2004Values Diversity - 2006

Maintains Good Health Search Institute Study 2004/2006

5956 53 56 54 59

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent


Good Health - 2004Good Health - 2006

Exhibits Leadership Search Institute Study 2004/2006

6563

7570

7575

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent


Leadership - 2004Leadership - 2006

Resists Danger“I do exciting things – even if they are dangerous”

Search Institute Study 2004/2006

2331

1420

15

26

05

101520253035404550

Perc

ent


Resist danger - 2004Resist danger - 2006

Delays Gratification Search Institute Study 2004/2006

4549

44 4239 41

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Perc

ent


Delay Gratification -2004Delay Gratification -2006

Overcomes Adversity Search Institute Study 2004/2006

74 71 77 7382 85

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent


Overcome Adversity -2004Overcome Adversity -2006

Deficits – a dirty word

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

Alone at homeSearch Institute 2004/2006

34 33

50

40

5250

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

perc

ent


Alone at home - 2004Alone at home - 2006

Too Much TV Search Institute 2004/2006

38

29

41

32 32 33

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent


TV > 3Hrs./Day -2004TV > 3Hrs./Day -2006

Physical Abuse – at home Search Institute 2004/2006

40

25

39

3128

35

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent


Abuse - 2004Abuse - 2006

Victim of Violence(Not at home)

Search Institute 2004/2006

37

26

3732 32

36

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent


Violence - 2004Violence - 2006

Drinking Parties Search Institute 2004/2006

1814

4439

63 61

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Perc

ent


Drinking - 2004Drinking - 2006

Analysis of Specific Risk Behaviors

Comparison of 2006 Search Institute Asset Survey of

St. Joseph Youth with the 2005 Michigan YRBS and 2005 U.S. YRBS data

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

2006 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2005, US-YRBS 2005

2530

36 38 39

46

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent

Grade 9 Grade 11

St. JosephMichiganNational

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

2006 Search Institute Study

3026

3439

34 37

0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent


St. Josephpast year-2004

St. Josephpast year-2006

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

2004/2006 Search Institute Study

3 36 6

17 19

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Perc

ent


St. Josephlast year-2004

St. Josephlast year-2006

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


1512

20 21 1724

05

101520253035404550

Perc

ent

Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Joseph-2006Michigan National

Percentage of Students Who Smoked Regularly, last 30 days


85

7

13

8 10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Perc

ent

Grade 9 Grade 11

St. Josephsmoke/chewevery day

Michigancigarettes 20+last 30 daysUS 20+dayslast 30 days

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


2

89

8

13

8

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Perc

ent


St. Joseph-in last year-2004

St. Joseph-in last year-2006

Comparison of the Percentage of Students Who Used Marijuana at Least Once in the last year


9

2

2522

29 28

05

1015202530354045

Perc

ent


St. Josephused lastyear - 2004

St. Josephused lastyear - 2006

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


16

13

7 8 67

02468

101214161820

Perc

ent


St. Joseph- past year2004

St. Joseph- past year2006

Comparison of Youth who had intercourse at least once

2004/2006 Search Institute Study, MI-YRBS 2005

159

27 29

21

34

52 5247 49

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent


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

St. Joseph - atleast 1 time -2006MI - at least 1time - 2005

St. Joseph Youth Attitude about Having Sex as a Teenager


6963

4639 36

19

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Perc

ent


Stronglyagreed/againstvalues- 2004

Stronglyagreed/againstvalues- 2006

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


16 1619 20

1514

05

10152025303540

Perc

ent


Most or all of the time

St. Josephmost of timepast month -2004St. Josephmost of timepast month -2006

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


17

10

18

12

15 15

0

5

10

15

20

25

Perc

ent


St. Joseph-ever - 2004

St. Joseph-ever - 2006

Percentage of Students in a Physical Fight in Past Year


39

44

3532

2632

26

38

05

101520253035404550

Perc

ent

Grade 9 Grade 11

Michigan NationalSJ 2004SJ 2006

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

Them 2004/2006 Search Institute Study

40

25

39

3128

35

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent


St. Joseph -2004

St. Joseph -2006

Students Attitudes about School2004/2006 Search Institute

48 4854 54 56

51

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent


Usually feel boredat school - 2004

Usually feel boredat school - 2006

Students and Teachers2004/2006 Search Institute

49 4842

5447 46

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Perc

ent


Feel stronglyteachers careabout them -2004

Feel stronglyteachers careabout them -2006

Percentage of Time Students Spend on Homework


12 9

22 22

2927

19

24

14 13

4 5

05

10152025303540

Perc

ent

Zerohours

1/2 orless

1/2 to1

1 hour 2hours

3hours

Percent ofStudents - 2004Percent ofStudents - 2006

Percentage of Students by Grades Earned in School


1 2 1 1

6 74 3

1715

10 9

32 32

27

32

05

10152025303540

Perc

ent

BelowD

D's D/C C's C/B B's B/A A

Grades- 2004

Grades- 2006

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

2004 Search Institute Study

34

171419 17 21

12 17

79 8 7

42

49

05

10152025303540

Perc

ent

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Number of Nights

StructuredActivitiesFriends

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

(Hangin’ out >3 nights – 04 -27% 06 – 20%) 2006 Search Institute Study

2926

18 20 1722

12 137

9 114 3 3

4 4

05

10152025303540

Perc

ent

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Number of Nights

StructuredActivitiesFriends

Number of Hours/Day Students Watch TV or Videos


3 2

16 1619 19

25

31

16 16

21

15

05

10152025303540

Perc

ent

0 <1 1 2 3 4Number ofHours Spent

TV/Videos-2004

TV/Videos-2006

Students Watch TV or Videos >3 Hrs./Day 2004/2006 Search Institute Study

32

40 42

33 33 33

0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent

SJ 9th MI 9th US 9th SJ 11th MI 11th US 11th

Number of Hours Spent

Average Number of Thriving Indicators based on Asset Level, 2004/2006 Search Institute Study

3.22.9

3.93.9

5 5.1

6.16.1

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 2004SJ 2006

Average Number of Risk Taking Behaviors based on Asset Level, 2004/2006 Search Institute Study

8.8 9.7

5.45.1

2.4

1.80.5 0.7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Num

ber

Ris

k B

ehav

iors

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

SJ 2004SJ 2006

Risks vs. Assets A no brain-er


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent

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

Had sex 1 or moretime -2004

Had sex 1 or moretime -2006

Risks vs. AssetsA no brain-er


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perc

ent

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

Gambled in last year2004Attempted suicide2004Gambled in last year2006Attempted suicide2006

Risks vs. AssetsA no brain-er


0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent

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

Drank 3x/30 days-2004Used drugs 3x/year-2004Drank 3x/30 days-2006Used drugs 3x/year-2006

Thriving and AssetsWhat a world of difference


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Perc

ent

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

Succeeds in School-2004Delays gratification-2004Succeeds in School-2006Delays gratification-2006

Conclusions- what bubbled up

Areas of significant change(the good)

1. Average # of assets increased (19.2 to 20)2. Different cross section of kids again?

13% in 06 have 31-40 assets (75 kids) 8% in 04 have 31-40 assets (76 kids)

3. More parents with college educationMoms – 23% more w/4 yr. degree

Dads – 17% more w/4 yr. degree4. 4% increase in assets – overall5. 8% increase in assets in 9th grade

Areas of significant changeMore good stuff!

1. Caring school environment – increased 25%2. Time spent at home – increased 14%3. Time spent on homework – increased 17%4. Resistance skills – increased 14%5. Resists danger – 7th grade – increased 35%

9th grade – increased 43% 11th grade – increased 73%

6. Abuse at home – 7th grade – decreased 37% 9th grade – decreased 21%

Challenges1. Safety (home, community and school – 12%

decrease overall2. Positive Adult Relationships (other than

parental) – 12% decrease overall3. Victims of Violence – 11th grade – increased

12.5%4. Abuse at home – 11th grade – increased 25%5. Dataset (surveys) decreased 39% - making a

strong relationship between datasets tenuous

Where to Find This Report?

This report will be posted on the Community Health Agency website along with the 2004 report, at:

www.bhsj.org

st. joseph county profile of youth

Documents

development of assets

personal skills youth

community organizations

community nurture

way youth experience

resistance skills

interpersonal skills

successful development