Arturo Sesma, Jr., Ph.D. - Applied Developmental Researcher

Professional Expertise

Art Sesma is a researcher and instructor specializing in the areas of:

  • Conceptualization and measurement of Developmental Assets
  • Social development in middle childhood and adolescence
  • Risk and resilience models for children at risk
  • Developmental theory

Contributions to Search Institute

As a research scientist for Search Institute, Dr. Sesma is involved in the following projects:

  • Synthesizing research and theory around the early elementary years in order to begin to map out the landscape of positive development for this age group;
  • Construction of a parent-survey measuring assets in children in grades 4–6;
  • Collaborating with researchers in Texas on a pilot and large-scale study using a Spanish version of Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes & Behaviors;
  • Creating a new dataset from the 1999–2000 school year to replace the 1996–1997 dataset that has been the basis for all Search Institute publications and presentations that use data.

Publications

  • Collins, W. A., Gleason, T., & Sesma, A. Jr. (1997). “Internalization, Autonomy, and Relationships: Development during Adolescence.” In J. E. Grusec & L. Kuczynski (Eds.), Handbook of Parenting and the Transmission of Values, (pp.78–99). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
  • Masten, A. S., & Sesma, A. Jr. (1997). “Studies of Children Homeless in Minnesota: A Report for the Community.” The College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota.
  • Masten, A. S., Sesma, A. Jr., & Si-Asar, R., Lawrence, C., Miliotis, D., & Dionne, J. A. (1997). “Educational Risks for Children Experiencing Homelessness.” Journal of School Psychology, 35(1), 27–46.
  • Miliotis, D., Sesma, A. Jr., & Masten, A. S. (1999). “Parenting as a Protective Process for School Success in Children from Homeless Families.” Early Education and Development, 10(2), 111–133.
  • Scales, P. C., Sesma, A. Jr., & Bolstrom, B. (2003). _Coming into Their Own: How Developmental Assets Promote Positive Growth in Middle Childhood.” Minneapolis: Search Institute.
  • Tout, K. A., & Sesma, A. Jr. (1997). “Building Strong Foundations in Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach to Human Capital.” Chicago Policy Review, 1(2), 51–64.

Education

  • B.A. in psychology (1992), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Ph.D. in child psychology (2000), Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota

Professional Organizations

  • Society for Research on Child Development
  • Society for Research on Adolescence