In “Adult Support of Activism” O’Donoghue and Stroebel (2007) examine the link between Y-AP and youth activism. They find that youth benefit most strongly when adults share power, build egalitarian relationships, and collaborate with the youth in actions for the common good. The authors identify challenges to adults in breaking out of conventional patterns of working with youth, and they offer practical recommendations for dealing with these challenges.

Jarret and her colleagues (2005) pick up on these themes in Developing Social Capital Through Participation in Organized Youth Programs. They discuss how Y-AP builds the social capital of youth. But, adults have to have patience. Partnerships do not evolve easily. They develop in stages.  First, young people might feel suspicious and have feelings of distrust.  Then, they often move into a stage of facilitated contact.  The youth and adults try to do small things together.  Finally, youth and and adults then move into a stage of  meaningful contact for a common purpose.. The article identifies strategies that adults can use to help youth build their social capital.