Enhancing resilience among young people: the role of communities and asset-building approaches to intervention.

Adolescent development is a complex, interactive process that involves individuals, families, peer groups, institutions, and communities. Resilience is a process reflecting one's ability to respond positively to the multitude of risks inherent in growth and development. This article focuses on strategies for enhancing resilience and health outcomes among young people. We explore the conditions under which young people, their families, and community institutions promote positive health outcomes. We review emerging issues with an emphasis on building social capital and cohesion to foster resilience through family and community relationships and resources. We provide examples of evidence-based interventions, including those with demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Informed by these data, we make recommendations for the practice of adolescent medicine and further research focused on physician involvement in strengthening family and community resilience and social capital to improve the lives of young people.