Some Ways in Which Neighborhoods, Nuclear Families, Friendship Groups, and Schools Jointly Affect Changes in Early Adolescent Development

An assessment of ways in which school, neighborhood, nuclear family, and friendship group contexts jointly contribute to positive change during early adolescence was conducted. Middle school students, parents, teachers, and staff from one county bordering with Washington D.C. participated in a large-scale 19-month longitudinal study. Findings suggested that focused attention on all four contexts is necessary for optimal positive outcomes for adolescents.