Getting Traction on Positive Youth Justice: Prosocial Identity as a Promising Target for Intervention

The positive youth justice (PYJ) paradigm emphasizes building youths' strengths and prosocial attributes to promote healthy development and desistance from antisocial behavior. Despite broad support for PYJ, direct application of the model to juvenile justice interventions has been limited by its multitude of components and global targets. In this article, we chart an innovative pathway from theory to intervention that centers on promoting prosocial identity, or the extent to which young people view themselves as prosocial. We synthesize theory and evidence from developmental science and criminology to demonstrate that-with individual effort and environmental support-a youth's identity can be shifted in the prosocial direction to promote desistance from antisocial behavior. Our intervention framework specifies three targets for change: content of the future possible self (promoting hope for a future prosocial self, balanced by fear of a future antisocial self), prosocial identity prominence (importance to the self), and prosocial identity validation (confidence that the self can be achieved). To realize the promise of this framework, researchers and practitioners can build consensus on measures of prosocial identity, assess the extent to which identity changes in response to existing strength-based services, and further establish the protective utility of prosocial identity. Interventions that directly target identity content, prominence, or validation should also be tested for their impact on antisocial behavior. When combined with relevant policy levers, we expect this identity-based approach to add value to existing services. Understanding that shifts in identity are both possible and matter, can help chart new pathways for promoting positive youth development.

Automated summary

The positive youth justice (PYJ) paradigm focuses on developing young people's strengths and prosocial attributes to promote healthy development and discourage antisocial behavior. This article proposes an innovative approach to intervention that centers around promoting a prosocial identity among young people. By synthesizing theory and evidence from developmental science and criminology, the authors demonstrate that with individual effort and environmental support, a youth's identity can be shifted towards prosocial behavior, leading to a reduction in antisocial behavior. The authors outline three targets for change in the intervention framework: content of the future possible self, prosocial identity prominence, and prosocial identity validation. They suggest that consensus on measures of prosocial identity, assessment of identity changes in response to existing strength-based services, and further establishment of the protective effects of prosocial identity are needed. Interventions directly targeting identity should also be tested for their impact on antisocial behavior. The authors expect that this identity-based approach, combined with relevant policy measures, will enhance existing services. Recognizing the importance and possibility of identity shifts can help pave the way for positive youth development.