The Social Development Research Group (SDRG) is a nationally recognized, interdisciplinary team of researchers united in a common mission...

To understand and promote healthy behaviors and positive social development among children, adolescents, and young adults by:

• conducting research on factors that influence development;
• testing the effectiveness of interventions;
• studying service systems and working to improve them;
• presenting science-based solutions to health and behavior problems; and
• disseminating knowledge produced by this research.

SDRG's research seeks to promote achievement and success as well as prevent and treat health and behavior problems among young people. Drug abuse, delinquency, risky sexual behavior, violence, and school dropout are among the problems addressed. In 1979, J. David Hawkins and Richard F. Catalano began to develop the Social Development Strategy which provides the theoretical basis for risk- and protective-focused prevention that underlies much of the group's research.

More than 60 SDRG researchers and staff members contribute to nine current research projects with $10 million in annual funding. This group has produced more than 400 articles, books, and monographs. Access to the University's vast libraries is augmented by the group's own collection of more than 10,000 reprints, books, and journals. Projects are supported by extensive data collection and data management teams and a strong administrative unit.

The Social Development Research Group is affiliated with the School of Social Work at the University of Washington in Seattle.