All young people benefit from feeling like a valued member of the community and living in relationships that provide mutual support and care (Balk, 1995). The degree to which young people feel a sense of inclusion and belonging depends on the nature and depth of their attachments.

A young person might connect with particular people, activities and pursuits, school or work, their cultural heritage and customs, spiritual traditions, broader social movements and places of significance. ‘Connectedness’ refers to the significance that young people ascribe to these attachments.

Eckersley and colleagues (2006) explain that: “[w]ellbeing comes from being connected and engaged, from being suspended in a web of relationships and interests. These give meaning to our lives. The intimacy, belonging and support provided by close personal relationships seem to matter most; and isolation exacts the highest price” (p19).

The experience of connectedness is associated with feeling part of something greater than oneself (Masten, 2001, 2009; Ungar, 2006). This provides young people with a sense of security and belonging that frees them to explore and learn (Masten, 2009). Connectedness has been shown to engender in young people a sense of identity, contributing to the development of personal values and helping them to envision a future for themselves (Aronowitz, 2005).