Life skills and hope in times of polycrisis: a developmental perspective on youth agency and future orientation
Murod Ismailov
Young people are growing up amid interacting crises, including climate disruption, war, economic insecurity, democratic strain, and rapid technological change. This condition, often described as polycrisis, may weaken future orientation, agency, and confidence in the link between effort and outcome. This Hypothesis and Theory paper argues that rising youth distress should be understood as a developmental problem involving disrupted future formation. Drawing on hope theory, Positive Youth Develop