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The Prevention Researcher

Behavioral research for professionals working with adolescents and at-risk youth.

A journal from Integrated Research Services, Inc.

Neighborhood Residence and Youth Development: Empirical Findings and Theoretical Models

By Tama Leventhal, Ph.D., and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Ph.D.
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 15, Number 2, 2008, Pages 3-6


Abstract:
Does the neighborhood or community where a youth lives make a difference for his or her well-being? While common wisdom says it should, this question has been a source of great debate in the academic literature. The reason for the controversy stems from the complexity of studying adolescent development in neighborhood context. This article, by two of the most prominent researchers on neighborhood effects, summarizes the research on a broad range of youth outcomes and describes the theoretical developments in the field. It concludes with implications for both practice and policy.

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