ABSTRACT
Developmental systems theories of human development emphasize that the bases of positive, healthy trajectories across life lie in mutually beneficial relations between the developing person and the resources in his or her context that support and promote healthy growth. The new vision and vocabulary associated with the positive youth development perspective emerged in the early 1990s as an instance of the age-specific use of developmental systems theories. One instantiation of the focus on plasticity within such theories was an interest in assessing the potential for positive change at diverse points across ontogeny, ones spanning from infancy through the 10th and 11th decades of life. The contribution construct used in this report is one possible example of a positive outcome of great theoretical and applied importance. Youth contributions to society and to self are regarded as vital for positive civic engagement and for maintaining and perpetuating civil society.
