Shop Talk: A Qualitative Study to Understand Peer Health-related Communication Among Black Men at the Barbershop.

BACKGROUND: While successful health promotion efforts among Black men have been implemented at barbershops, the focus has largely been on outcomes as opposed to the processes by which outcomes are produced. An understanding of processes can be leveraged in the design and implementation of future efforts to improve the health of Black men. PURPOSE: The objectives of the present study were to: (i) understand peer-derived sources of health-related support at the barbershop and (ii) understand the role of the barbershop in promoting health among Black men. METHODS: Seven focus groups were conducted at barbershops used predominately by Black men. Each focus group lasted between 45 and 60 min. Using a thematic approach, each focus group was independently coded by two coders using a codebook derived from an inductive and deductive approach. The results were confirmed with members of the community advisory board. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (i) dynamic and candid exchange of health-related support at the barbershop; (ii) tailored forms of health-related and judgment-free communication that provide encouragement and increase motivation; and (iii) characteristics of a supportive environment at the barbershop that facilitate health-related communication. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study offer a potential pathway for public health efforts seeking to improve health among Black men. Those interested in designing and implementing these efforts can create tailored programs for Black men by recognizing and leveraging the unique dynamics of health-related conversations at the barbershop.

For many Black men, barbershops are more than just a place for a haircut. Barbershops are community hubs that have transformed into safe places for difficult conversations about health. The goal of our study was to understand how Black men communicate about health at the barbershop. To address this goal, we conducted focus groups among the true experts­Black men. We asked them: (i) how do Black men communicate about health at the barbershop? (ii) what do Black men communicate about health at the barbershop? and (iii) what about the barbershop facilitates these conversations? These men indicated that barbershops are a place where Black men can openly and dynamically provide health support to one another through role modeling, passing of wisdom, and passive testimonials. They said their conversations about health are often judgment-free and tailored to provide encouragement and motivation. Finally, they said that the supportive atmosphere of the barbershop facilitates these types of conversations. Although barbershops have been sources of health-related support for Black men for generations, the findings from this study can be used by those developing health promotion programs (in partnership with barbershops) to promote health among Black men.

The mediating effects of motivation on the relations between occupational stress and physical activity among underresourced afterschool program staff.

OBJECTIVE: Guided by Self-Determination Theory, this study aimed to examine the potential mediating effects of autonomous and controlled motivations on physical activity (PA) experiences of afterschool program (ASP) staff with occupational stress. METHOD: A total of 58 ASP staff provided full data. Staff occupational stress and self-determination motivations for PA were assessed. Participants' daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured using accelerometer wear. A path analysis was used to address the research purpose. RESULTS: Occupational stress negatively and indirectly predicted daily MVPA which was mediated by controlled motivation (ß = - 4.15, p <.05). Autonomous motivation directly and positively predicted daily MVPA across all types and levels of ASP staff occupational stress (ß = 9.93, p =.01). CONCLUSIONS: Autonomous motivation is a powerful predictor of staff PA levels despite the degree to which they experience stress. In contrast, controlled motivations are more vulnerable to occupational stress, and can lead to lower MVPA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Connect Through PLAY: A Staff-based Physical Activity Intervention for Middle School Youth (Connect). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03732144 . Registered 11/06/2018. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03732144.

Self-control and cooperation in childhood as antecedents of less moral disengagement in adolescence.

Moral disengagement is a social cognition people use to engage in wrongdoings even when they know it is wrong. However, little is known about the antecedents that predict moral disengagement. The current study focuses on the development of self-control and cooperation during middle childhood as two antecedents of moral disengagement among 1,103 children (50% female; 77% White, 12% Black, 6% Hispanic, and 5% other). Children's self-control at age 8 and growth in self-control from age 8 to 11 were positively linked to adolescents seeing themselves as having self-control at age 15, which then predicted less moral disengagement at age 18. Children's cooperation at age 8 also was positively linked to adolescents' self-views of cooperation at age 15, which in turn, was associated with less moral disengagement at age 18. These findings demonstrate the potential of self-control and cooperation as intrapersonal and interpersonal strengths during middle childhood for mitigating moral disengagement 10 years later.

Changing trajectory of daily physical activity levels among at-risk adolescents: influences of motivational mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the purpose of this study was to determine changes in the 16-week moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) trajectory of underserved adolescents who participated in the Connect through PLAY afterschool program intervention and the effects of changes in participating adolescents' intrinsic and autonomous extrinsic motivations on their MVPA trajectory over the 16-week intervention. METHODS: A subsample of 113 adolescents (56.64% female; 61.06% African American; average age = 11.29) provided complete data throughout the 16-week intervention were examined. Adolescents' objective daily MVPA was measured using 7- day accelerometer data. Changes in adolescents' intrinsic motivation and autonomous extrinsic motivation were assessed using subscales from the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory [1] and the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire [2] respectively. A hierarchical linear model was built and tested to address the research aims. RESULTS: The results of hierarchical linear models showed that, on average, youth daily MVPA increased 6.36 minutes in each 8-week period. Intrinsic motivation change, but not autonomous extrinsic motivation, was a positive and significant level-2 predictor of daily MVPA changes. CONCLUSION: The findings provide significant evidence suggesting a benefit of integrating SDT-based approaches and further suggest that nurturing intrinsic motivation can be an effective approach to supporting youth daily MVPA in under-resourced afterschool programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Connect Through PLAY: A Staff-based Physical Activity Intervention for Middle School Youth (Connect). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03732144 . Registered November 6th, 2018.

Buffering effects of protective factors on light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among african american women.

Physical activity (PA) plays an integral role in reducing risk for the leading causes of death and has also been shown to buffer stress. Based on the stress-buffering hypothesis, the present study examined whether protective factors (self-efficacy and informal social control) buffered the effects of perceived stress on PA over time. Secondary data analyses of female African American caregivers (N = 143) were conducted using data from the Families Improving Together (FIT) trial. Validated measures of stressors and protective factors were assessed at baseline. Light PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA were assessed using seven-day accelerometry estimates over sixteen weeks. Multilevel growth modeling was used to assess whether protective factors moderated the effects of perceived stress on PA outcomes across 16 weeks. There was a significant two-way interaction between informal social control and time (B = 0.40, SE = 0.17, p = .019) such that higher informal social control was positively associated with MVPA over time. There was a marginal three-way interaction (B = -18.90, SE = 10.31, p = .067) such that stress was associated with greater LPA at baseline under conditions of high but not low self-efficacy. This study provides preliminary support that social factors may be important for maintaining MVPA regardless of stress levels, while cognitive resources may be more important to target for influencing LPA engagement under conditions of high stress.

The influence of social support, social affiliation and intrinsic motivation for increasing underserved youth's physical activity: A social climate-based intervention study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of intrinsic motivation, social affiliation orientations and reciprocal social support for physical activity (PA) on underserved youths' afterschool period moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) changing trajectories across the 16-week Connect through PLAY intervention, a social-motivational climate intervention. A total of 113 youth (61.06% African American, 56.64% girls) provided full data. Youths' intrinsic motivation, social affiliation orientations and social support were measured by youth responses to a set of surveys at baseline and post-intervention. Youths' afterschool period MVPA was measured using data from 7-day ActiGraph accelerometer wear at baseline, midpoint and post-intervention. Hierarchical linear modelling analysis found that youth daily afterschool period (3pm-6pm) MVPA increased, on average, 37.94 min across the 16-week intervention. Increases in intrinsic motivation, social affiliation orientations and social support were positive predictors of youth afterschool MVPA changing trajectory. The findings clarify the contributions that a social-motivational climate intervention can have on youth afterschool period MVPA through increasing youth intrinsic motivation, social affiliation and reciprocal social support.

Effects of Parenting and Perceived Stress on BMI in African American Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study set out to examine the role of parenting practices in protecting or exacerbating the negative effects of parent and adolescent stress on adolescent body mass index (BMI) over time. Separate longitudinal models were conducted to evaluate how parenting practices interacted with parental perceived stress and adolescent perceived stress in predicting adolescent BMI. METHODS: Baseline data were collected from 148 African American adolescents (Mage = 12.93, SD = 1.75; Mz-BMI = 0.78, SD = 0.50; MBMI%-ile = 96.7, SD = 3.90) and their caregivers (Mage = 44.45, SD = 8.65; MBMI = 37.63, SD = 8.21) enrolled in the Families Improving Together for Weight Loss trial. Adolescents self-reported their perceptions of caregiver parenting style and feeding practices. Both caregivers and adolescents self-reported their perceptions of chronic stress. BMI for parents and adolescents was assessed objectively at baseline and 16 weeks post-intervention. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression models predicting adolescent BMI z-score (z-BMI) indicated a significant interaction between parental perceived stress and parental pressure to eat. Simple slopes analyses demonstrated that for those parents that exhibit higher pressure to eat, parent stress was positively associated with adolescent z-BMI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide preliminary support suggesting that certain parenting practices interact with chronic stress on adolescent weight-related outcomes and that future interventions may consider integrating these factors.

Associations of parenting factors and weight related outcomes in African American adolescents with overweight and obesity.

This study evaluated the associations between parenting factors and adolescent weight related outcomes in African American adolescents with overweight and obesity. Baseline heights and weights were collected from 241 African American adolescents (11-16 years) with overweight and obesity. Self-reported adolescent perceptions of caregiver's parenting style (responsiveness, demandingness), parental feeding practices (monitoring, responsibility, weight related concerns, pressure-to-eat, and restriction), and their own dietary self-efficacy for healthy eating were assessed. Results demonstrated that greater parental responsiveness was significantly associated with lower adolescent body mass index (BMI) and higher adolescent dietary self-efficacy. In contrast, parental concern about adolescent weight was significantly associated with greater adolescent BMI, while greater parental responsibility for foods was associated with lower adolescent BMI. Although parental pressure-to-eat was significantly associated with higher dietary self-efficacy, greater parental restriction was associated with lower dietary self-efficacy. The results of this study highlight the importance of parental responsiveness and responsibility in understanding obesity related outcomes in African American adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Connect through PLAY: a randomized-controlled trial in afterschool programs to increase adolescents' physical activity.

The current study is a randomized controlled trial to test a novel 10-week climate-based intervention within pre-existing afterschool programs, designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in underserved (low-income, minority status) middle school youth by addressing youth social developmental needs. Participants (n = 167; 56% female; 62% Black; 50% overweight/obese) enrolled in 6 middle schools were randomized to either the Connect through PLAY intervention or a wait-list control. Process evaluation measures (i.e., observations of external evaluators; staff surveys) indicated that essential elements were implemented with fidelity, and staff endorsed implementation ease/feasibility and acceptability. Regression analysis demonstrated that participation in the intervention (vs. control) was associated with an increase of 8.17 min of daily accelerometry-measured MVPA (56 min of additional weekly MVPA) at post-intervention controlling for baseline MVPA, school, gender, and weight status. The results provide support for social-motivational climate-based interventions for increasing MVPA in underserved youth that can inform future school-based health initiatives.Trial Registration: NCT03850821: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03850821?term=NCT03850821&rank=1.

The Feasibility and Acceptability of the Developing Real Incentives and Volition for Exercise (DRIVE) Program: A Pilot Study for Promoting Physical Activity in African American Women.

Background. The purpose of the current article is to demonstrate how formative process evaluation was used in a pilot study to optimize the design and implementation of two motivationally targeted community-based physical activity (PA) interventions for inactive African American women. Method. Fifteen African American women (M age: 41.6 years) were randomized to a challenge-focused program targeted toward high autonomous motivation or a rewards-focused program targeted toward low autonomous motivation. The challenge-focused program targeted enjoyment and valuation of PA and a team-based positive social climate through competitive intergroup activities and team-based goals, whereas the rewards-focused program targeted PA interest, competency, and partner-based social support through a walking program, individual-based goals with financial incentives, and partner-based action-plans. Results. Feedback from participants revealed high levels of acceptability of essential elements. Average weekly attendance exceeded the a priori goal of ≥75% of members in attendance each week. External systematic observation demonstrated that session content dose was ≥93% in both programs. Facilitator-level fidelity exceeded the a priori goal of averaging ≥3 on a 4-point scale for behavioral skills, communication, autonomy support, and session content. The process evaluation also revealed areas for improvement, including facilitator-level social support and behavioral skills at the group-level. Process data collected through FitBits revealed that participants were engaged in self-monitoring PA during the 6-week programs. Conclusions. The formative process evaluation demonstrated adequate levels of feasibility and acceptability and also provided key insights into adjustments needed before proceeding with implementing the motivationally targeted group-based programs in a larger randomized study.

A Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention (bMBI) to Reduce Teacher Stress and Burnout.

Teacher stress and burnout contribute to attrition and stress-related health concerns. Despite some positive effects, previous mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have failed to incorporate key elements of methodological rigor and have included large dosages despite research suggesting that such dosages are iatrogenic. The current study demonstrates the efficacy of a brief MBI (bMBI; four sessions, six total hours) to reduce self-reported stress, burnout, and depression, and suggests the bMBI can protect against deleterious impacts to physiological functioning. The study informs the design and implementation of future MBIs, including strategies for reducing intervention dosages, in order to improve effectiveness and maximize cost-effectiveness.

Brief report: Patterns of prosocial behaviors in middle childhood predicting peer relations during early adolescence.

INTRODUCTION: Early adolescence is a developmental period in which peer victimization, bullying, relational aggression, and social exclusion are particularly prominent. As these behaviors have long-term implications for children, in this study, we investigated early variations of prosocial behaviors as one of the critical precedents that shape youth's subsequent peer relational outcomes. Specifically, we identified different profiles of prosocial behaviors in middle childhood (Grade 4) and related these profiles to peer relationships in early adolescence (Grade 6). METHOD: Using longitudinal data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 914; 52% girls), a three-step latent profile analysis was conducted on Grade 4 prosocial behaviors, which were then related to Grade 6 teacher- and student-rated peer relationships (e.g., relational aggression). RESULTS: Four patterns of prosocial behaviors emerged: low prosocial (18%), high prosocial (67%), primarily friendly (8%), and primarily kind (7%). These four patterns of prosocial behaviors were differentially related to later problematic peer relationships: Low prosocial youth demonstrated the most problematic peer relationships (Mdiff = 0.36-0.93, all p < .001). Primarily friendly (but not kind) youth displayed more general and relational aggression (Mdiff = 0.22, SE = 0.07, p = .002; and Mdiff = 0.18, SE = 0.06, p = .006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both low prosocial and primarily friendly youth are at risk for displaying peer-related problems; interventions that build prosocial behaviors in youth with a low prosocial or primarily friendly profile may help prevent problematic peer relationships at early adolescence.

Youth Participatory Action Research for Health Equity: Increasing Youth Empowerment and Decreasing Physical Activity Access Inequities in Under-resourced Programs and Schools.

To address gaps in the youth participation and adolescent physical activity (PA) promotion literature, we examined the feasibility of youth participatory action research (YPAR) in (a) general aftercare (YPAR only) and (b) with a physical activity intervention, (YPAR + PA) to reach marginalized youth and impact individual empowerment and second-order change for equitable PA access. We intervened during middle school, a developmental stage conducive to changing health habits. We used a concurrent, mixed-method triangulation design. Participants were students (94% non-Hispanic Black/African American, 75% free/reduced lunch) in the southeastern United States. YPAR was adapted from online modules. Youth conducted photovoice, capturing and analyzing social/environmental factors contributing to inequities in their schools/programs. PA inequities emerged for girls. Findings indicated feasibility of YPAR with systems supports. Changes occurred at the individual and systems level in the YPAR + PA program. Sociopolitical skills, participatory behavior, and perceived control empowerment subdomains increased pre-post, and youth qualitative responses aligned. A follow-up interview with the director revealed all youth-proposed changes occurred. A feedback loop was developed for continued youth input. Youth-led changes to increase PA access have potential to decrease health disparities by generating unique solutions likely missed when adults intervene alone.

The Relation Between Early Adolescent Physical Activity and Internalizing Problems: Variations in Exercise Motivations as a Critical Moderator.

Inconsistencies exist regarding the relation between physical activity (PA) and internalizing symptomology in early adolescence, and there is need for investigation of potential moderators that may account for these discrepancies. The current study utilized a Self-Determination Theory Framework to investigate the main effects of five key motivations to exercise and their moderating effects between PA and internalizing problems in an underserved sample of adolescents (n = 167; mean age = 12.19 years; 73% African American). Analyses showed that intrinsic motivations were negatively related to internalizing problems and extrinsic motivations were positively related. PA was only protective against internalizing problems when intrinsic motivations were high and had iatrogenic effects when these were low. Exploratory analyses further delineated the unique effects of motivational orientations. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Competitive sports participation in high school and subsequent substance use in young adulthood: Assessing differences based on level of contact.

The objective of this analysis is to examine how participation in different types of competitive sports (based on level of contact) during high school is associated with substance use 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade. The analysis uses nationally representative samples of 12th graders from the Monitoring the Future Study who were followed 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade. The longitudinal sample consisted of 970 12th graders from six recent cohorts (2006-2011). The analyses found that respondents who participated in at least one competitive sport during the 12th grade had greater odds of binge drinking during the past two weeks (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.43, 2.90) 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade, when compared to their peers who did not participate in sports during their 12th grade year. Moreover, respondents who participated in high-contact sports (i.e., football, ice hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling) had greater odds of binge drinking (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.18, 2.72) and engaging in marijuana use during the past 30 days (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.93) 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade when compared to their peers who did not participate in these types of sports during their 12th grade year. Accordingly, the findings indicate important distinctions in sport participation experiences on long-term substance use risk that can help inform potential interventions among young athletes.

Effects of Extracurricular Participation on the Internalizing Problems and Intrapersonal Strengths of Youth in a System of Care.

Although extracurricular participation has been linked to positive youth outcomes in the general population, no research to date has examined benefits for youth diagnosed with mental health challenges. Youth in systems of care (SOCs) receive a variety of services and supports that could help them capitalize on this potential for positive development, such as access to flexible funding to support recreational interests. However, research has not examined the degree to which the increased community involvement (e.g., extracurricular participation) sought in SOCs contributes to improved outcomes. This study addresses these gaps by investigating the relationships between both average and increased extracurricular participation frequency and breadth and internalizing problems and intrapersonal strengths among SOC youth. Findings revealed that, on average, higher frequency of youth participation was associated with higher intrapersonal strengths and lower internalizing problems. Increases in participation frequency were also associated with increased strengths and decreased internalizing problems. These findings suggest that efforts to implement supports for increasing extracurricular participation of SOC youth could improve their psychosocial outcomes beyond the benefits yielded via formal services. Taken together, these results provide support for advocacy efforts to integrate youth with mental health challenges into existing extracurriculars and to create new extracurricular opportunities.

The effects of out-of-school time on changes in youth risk of obesity across the adolescent years.

This study examined the longitudinal effects of out-of-school time (OST) activities on youth weight-status through mid-to-late adolescence. First, using pattern-centered methods, we identified the prominent ways in which youth allocate their OST across 12 common active and sedentary activities available to them. Second, through multi-level modeling procedures we examined the relation of OST activity patterns to: 1) BMI-status during the 11th grade, and; 2) within-person change in BMI-status across the adolescent years. After accounting for race, gender, SES, pubertal-status, and gaming, youth who participated in a sports-dominant activity pattern for 2 or more years had significantly lower 11th grade odds of being at-risk for overweight/obesity compared to youth in all other activity patterns. Youth of all other activity patterns had similar odds of being at-risk as Low-Activity youth and each other. Understanding the relations of OST to youth healthy weight is a critical first step in developing healthy OST settings.

Black men's health-related quality of life: A qualitative study to understand community-identified perception and needs.

OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multidimensional indicator of overall health associated with premature mortality. Black men score low on measures of HRQoL, but it is unclear how Black men conceptualize HRQoL and whether there have been efforts to promote HRQoL among these men. The present qualitative study to understand Black men's conceptualization of HRQoL and strategies to improve HRQoL was based in community-based participatory research and the social-ecological model of health. METHOD: A community advisory board (CAB) was established, and the need for an effort to promote HRQoL promotion among Black men was assessed and supported. A focus group protocol was developed in conjunction with the CAB and a group of barbers. Seven focus groups were conducted consisting of 56 Black men in the Southeastern United States. The mean age of participants was 45 years. Two reviewers coded each focus group. Reliability ranged from 71% to 76%. A thematic analysis was conducted, and the findings were confirmed with the CAB. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (a) a holistic conceptualization of health that includes spiritual functioning among Black men; (b) a state of HRQoL among Black men predominately marked by mental health concerns, in addition to physical and social health concerns; and (c) multilevel determinants of HRQoL among Black men. This last theme consisted of three subthemes related to community-level, interpersonal, and intrapersonal determinants of HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study can help inform the development of strategies to improve HRQoL and reduce health disparities among Black men. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Environmental and social-motivational contextual factors related to youth physical activity: systematic observations of summer day camps.

BACKGROUND: Youth risk of obesity is high during the summer months. Summer day camps can be ideal settings for preventing obesity through reducing youth summer sedentary behaviors. However, with limited research on camp settings, the mechanisms by which these programs promote children's physical activity (PA) remains largely unknown. The current study was designed to take a first step in addressing this gap in research through systematic observations of 4 summer day camps. METHODS: Systematic observations of 4 summer day camps was conducted using the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY) and a social-motivational climate supplemental observation tool founded on Self-Determination Theory and previous research developed by the authors. Teams of two coders observed daily activities for four days across two-week periods at each camp. On 15 minute intervals throughout each day, camps were assessed on level of youth PA (e.g., sedentary, moderate, vigorous), five physical features (e.g., equipment), eight staff interactions (e.g., encourage PA), and six social climate components (e.g., inclusive game). RESULTS: Across the sample, highly engaging games [F(1,329) = 17.68, p < .001], positive peer interactions [F(1,329) = 8.43, p < .01], and bullying [F(1,329) = 9.39, p < .01] were significantly related to higher PA participation rates, and clarity of rules [F(1,329) = 11.12, p < .001] was related to fewer youth participating in PA. Separate analyses for males and females indicated some sex differences with highly engaging games [F(1,329) = 23.10, p < .001] and bullying [F(1,329) = 10.00, p < .01] related to males' but not females' PA, and positive peer interactions related to only females' PA [F(1,329) = 9.58, p < .01]. Small, yet significant physical-environmental effects of temperature [F(1,328) = 1.54, p < .05] and equipment [F(1,328) = 4.34, p = .05] for girls also suggests that activities offered indoors (which was most common during high temperatures), and provision of equipment may also be important considerations for promoting girls' PA. Staff behaviors were minimally predictive of youth PA. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to conduct systematic observations of the physical and social resources of summer day camps and contributes to our understanding of the strengths and needs of camps to effectively promote PA in both boys and girls during the summer months when risks for obesity are high.

Holistic Functioning from a Developmental Perspective: A New Synthesis with a Focus on a Multi-tiered System Support Structure.

While research in specific academic disciplines has individually advanced knowledge and practice for promoting multiple aspects of health and well-being in children and adolescents, still missing is an understanding of the interconnectedness of many critical aspects of development and how to intentionally weave these factors to advance a more holistic approach. The need for a more holistic and inclusive approach to child and adolescent development is increasingly evident to promote long-term health and well-being as the overall percentage of children, adolescents, and adults who suffer from mental health disorders is increasing. To address this issue, our authorship team consists of researchers in the areas of developmental psychology, neuroscience, motor development, exercise science, and mental health. The collective ideas outlined in this paper are aligned to address the need to remove disciplinary-specific boundaries and elucidate synergistic linkages across multiple research domains that support holistic development and lifespan health and wellness. We propose a conceptual framework that comprehensively addresses the integration of physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and emotional domains of child and adolescent development. In addition, we also provide a holistic preventative approach that is aligned with a contemporary intervention structure (i.e., Multi-tiered Systems of Support) to promote, from a developmental perspective, positive trajectories of health and well-being across childhood and adolescence.