scholarly journals Impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the Junior Secondary School Years: Individual Growth Curve Analyses

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M. S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Junior Secondary School ◽  
Junior Secondary ◽  
Tier 1

The Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programs) is a positive youth development program implemented in school settings utilizing a curricular-based approach. In the third year of the Full Implementation Phase, 19 experimental schools (n = 3,006 students) and 24 control schools (n = 3,727 students) participated in a randomized group trial. Analyses based on linear mixed models via SPSS showed that participants in the experimental schools displayed better positive youth development than did participants in the control schools based on different indicators derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale, including positive self-identity, prosocial behavior, and general positive youth development attributes. Differences between experimental and control participants were also found when students who joined the Tier 1 Program and perceived the program to be beneficial were employed as participants of the experimental schools. The present findings strongly suggest that the Project P.A.T.H.S. is making an important positive impact for junior secondary school students in Hong Kong.

scholarly journals Objective Outcome Evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: Findings Based on Individual Growth Curve Models

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Individual Growth Curve ◽  
And Control

The Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is a curricular-based program that attempts to promote positive youth development in Hong Kong. In the second year of the Full Implementation Phase, 20 experimental schools (n = 2,784 students) and 23 control schools (n = 3,401 students) participated in a randomized group trial. Analyses based on linear mixed models via SPSS showed that participants in the experimental schools displayed better positive youth development than did participants in the control schools based on different indicators derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale. Differences between experimental and control participants were also found when students who joined the Tier 1 Program and perceived the program to be beneficial were employed as participants of the experimental schools.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Positive Youth Development Program for Secondary Students in Macau

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Luk ◽  
K. M. Leong ◽  
Annah M. L. Au
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Students ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Youth Development Program ◽  
Junior Secondary ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Outcome Evaluations ◽  
Objective Outcome

A well-tested comprehensive Chinese positive youth development program (Project P.A.T.H.S.) developed in Hong Kong has been modified and adapted for use in Macau. This program aims to help adolescent school children develop positively and to be better prepared for their future. The present study investigated the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of “P.A.T.H.S.” for Secondary 2 students of two pilot schools. Since there were “repeating” and “transferring” students joining the program, the effectiveness of the program on these particular groups of participants was also examined. The subjective outcome evaluations including participants' perceptions of the program, program instructors, benefits from the program, and overall satisfaction were positive. Although the longitudinal data from the objective outcome evaluation did not show any notable improvement, the overall effect of the program was found to be positive to the new comers in the junior secondary years. The existing evaluation findings suggest that the Secondary 2 program is especially effective to those newly joining the program. In view of the paucity of youth studies in Macau, the present study can contribute to evidence-based youth work and provide baseline data for the program to be evaluated in the Secondary 3 periods in the future.

scholarly journals Using Positive Youth Development Constructs to Design a Money Management Curriculum for Junior Secondary School Students in Hong Kong

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 2219-2229
Author(s):  
Patrick S. Y. Lau ◽  
C. M. Lam ◽  
Ben M. F. Law ◽  
Y. H. Poon
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Money Management ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
School Students ◽  
Junior Secondary School ◽  
Junior Secondary

This paper aims to discuss the relationships between the selected positive youth development constructs and the enhancement of Hong Kong junior secondary school students' money management skills, values, and attitudes. Various issues of money management of adolescents are reviewed. These issues include the need for money management programs for adolescents, the content and coverage of an appropriate money management program, and its relationships with the selected positive youth development constructs. The curriculum units for secondary 3 students are taken as examples to illustrate the design of the program. It is believed that promoting cognitive competence, self-efficacy, and spirituality could be an effective way to enhance students' money management skills, values, and attitudes, thus preparing them better for facing the finance-related issues in life.

scholarly journals Impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the Junior Secondary School Years: Objective Outcome Evaluation Based on Eight Waves of Longitudinal Data

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M. S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Moral Competence ◽  
School Students ◽  
Junior Secondary School ◽  
Objective Outcome

To assess the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S., a randomized group trial with eight waves of data collected was carried out. At the fifth year of data collection, 19 experimental schools (n=2, 662 students) and 24 control schools (n=3, 272 students) participated in the study. Analyses based on individual growth curve modeling showed that participants in the experimental schools displayed better positive youth development than did participants in the control schools in terms of different indicators derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale, including moral competence and behavioral competence and cognitive behavioral competencies. Significant results were also found when examining the trajectories of psychological development among control and experimental participants who perceived the program to be beneficial. Findings based on longitudinal objective outcome evaluation strongly suggest that the Project P.A.T.H.S. is effective in promoting positive development in Hong Kong secondary school students.

scholarly journals A Case Study on the Implementation of a Positive Youth Development Program (Project P.A.T.H.S.) in Hong Kong: Learning from the Experimental Implementation Phase

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1047-1062
Author(s):  
Tak Yan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Youth Development Program ◽  
Incremental Change ◽  
Experimental Implementation ◽  
Tier 1

This investigation of the implementation of a positive youth development program (Project P.A.T.H.S.) was part of a large study undertaken comprehensively to explore how effective the Tier 1 Program was in practice and how the results can shed light on future developments. Utilizing a case study approach, individual and focus group interviews were conducted in 2007 to examine the factors that influence the process and quality of implementation of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. The focus of this study was on how the implementers of a school made use of the experience gained in the Experimental Implementation Phase (EIP) in 2005/06 to improve the program implementation quality in the Full Implementation Phase (FIP) in 2006/07. Results showed that the program implementation in the FIP was generally high and the program was well received by the implementers. Factors that facilitated the implementation of the program were identified, including the adoption of an incremental change strategy, the incorporation of the program into both formal and informal curricula, positive perceptions of the program among staff and agency social workers, sufficient school administrative support, excellent cooperation between the school and the social work agency, presence of a dedicated school contact person and instructors who engaged themselves in continuous quality improvement of the implementation, and an emphasis on application of what had been learned. Difficulties encountered by the school in the process of implementation were also observed. Based on the present findings, key process variables that facilitate or impede the implementation of positive youth development programs are discussed. Implications for future program implementation are also discussed.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings Based on Three Years of Program Implementation

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1509-1519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Rachel C. F. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
School Adjustment ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Personal Variables ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Post Test ◽  
And Control

The Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is a positive youth development program implemented in school settings, utilizing a curricular-based approach. In the third year of the Full Implementation Phase, 19 experimental schools (n = 3,170 students) and 24 control schools (n = 3,808 students) participated in a randomized group trial. Utilizing the six-wave longitudinal data, ANCOVA, and linear mixed models controlling for differences between the two groups in terms of Wave 1 pretest scores, personal variables, and random effects of schools, it was revealed that participants in the experimental schools showed significantly better development than did participants in the control schools at post-test (Wave 6) based on different indicators of positive youth development derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale and other measures. Students in the experimental schools also displayed a lower level of intention to engage in problem behavior and better school adjustment than did students in the control schools. Similarly, differences between experimental participants who perceived the program to be beneficial and control participants were found.

scholarly journals Prevention of Adolescent Problem Behavior: Longitudinal Impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 546-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Longitudinal Impact ◽  
Adolescent Problem Behavior ◽  
Junior Secondary School ◽  
Junior Secondary

The present study attempts to examine the longitudinal impact of a curriculum-based positive youth development program, entitled the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes), on adolescent problem behavior in Hong Kong. Using a longitudinal randomized group design, six waves of data were collected from 19 experimental schools (n = 3,797 at Wave 1) in which students participated in the Project P.A.T.H.S. and 24 control schools (n = 4,049 at Wave 1). At each wave, students responded to questions asking about their current problem behaviors, including delinquency and use of different types of drugs, and their intentions of engaging in such behaviors in the future. Results based on individual growth curve modeling generally showed that the participants displayed lower levels of substance abuse and delinquent behavior than did the control students. Participants who regarded the program to be helpful also showed lower levels of problem behavior than did the control students. The present findings suggest that the Project P.A.T.H.S. is effective in preventing adolescent problem behavior in the junior secondary school years.

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