Positive Youth Development and Undergraduate Student Retention. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Demetriou, Cynthia; Powell, Candice
• Is Part Of: Journal of college student retention. Volume 16:Number 3(2014.)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 444
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: College dropouts -- Periodicals; College dropouts -- Prevention -- Periodicals; College attendance -- Periodicals; 378.16913
• DOI: 10.2190/CS.16.3.f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1521-0251

Abstract

The primary theoretical tradition in the study of college retention has been sociological. A review and synthesis of common themes of development among traditional-age, college students suggests that a developmental perspective on the retention of youth in college may have more to offer than the dominant sociological paradigm. This article argues that a key question in examining undergraduate retention should be are colleges and universities meeting the developmental needs of the youth enrolled in their institutions. The Positive Youth Development (PYD) perspective is proposed as a more beneficial paradigm than current models used to examine college student retention. Opportunities and resources to support features of positive developmental settings in the college context are explored, as are potential limitations and directions for future research. The conclusion discusses the overall benefits of using a developmental and strengths-based perspective to study undergraduate retention.