Spirituality as a key positive youth development construct for university students

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Wynants Ho
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Spiritual Leadership ◽  
Developmental Outcomes ◽  
Curriculum Structure ◽  
Basic Concepts ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes

AbstractThe curriculum of a lecture about spirituality in the course entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders” developed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is introduced in this paper. With reference to the basic tenets of outcome-based learning, the intended learning outcomes and the curriculum structure are illustrated. The following topics related to the construct of spirituality are included in this paper: definition and basic concepts of spirituality, theories of spirituality, antecedents of spirituality, spirituality and adolescent developmental outcomes, spirituality and leadership, and ways to promote spiritual leadership. Topics for reflections are also presented at the end of the paper.

Developing social competence in a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Janet T.Y. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Social Competence ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Adolescent Development ◽  
Effective Leadership ◽  
The Social ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes

AbstractSocial competence is an important positive youth development attribute for adolescent development and effective leadership. In this paper, the definitions and approaches of social competence are introduced. The antecedents and consequences of social competence are highlighted. Moreover, the relationships between social competence and effective leadership, as well as adolescent development are also addressed. In particular, egocentrism as the barrier to social competence is discussed. To enhance the social competence of university students, a lecture on social competence was designed in the curriculum of a university subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders”. The objectives, intended learning outcomes, lecture content and special features of the lecture are presented in this paper.

scholarly journals Psychological Morbidity among University Students in Hong Kong (2014–2018): Psychometric Properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Related Correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8305
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Esther Y. W. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Morbidity

Although mental health problems among Hong Kong university students are serious, there is a lack of studies examining the psychometric properties of related assessment scales and correlates. This study attempted to validate the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in Hong Kong university students and examine the demographic (gender), time (cohort), and well-being correlates (positive youth development attributes and life satisfaction) of psychological morbidity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the DASS (n = 6704). Gender and cohort invariance were further established using a multigroup CFA. The three-factor model of the DASS showed a superior fit and factorial invariance across gender and five different cohorts. Regarding gender and cohort correlates of psychological morbidity, males exhibited more depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms than their female counterparts. The intensity of psychological distress also escalated after the Umbrella Movement in 2014. Furthermore, well-being measures (positive youth development and life satisfaction) were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. In short, the Chinese DASS demonstrated good psychometric properties. This study also showed that gender, cohort (occurrence of political events), and well-being were associated with psychological morbidity indexed by the DASS measures.

scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Course for University Students in Hong Kong

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Rachel C. F. Sun ◽  
Y. H. Chui ◽  
S. W. Lit ◽  
Walter W. Yuen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Academic Year

With higher education, university graduates are important elements of the labor force in knowledge-based economies. With reference to the mental health and developmental problems in university students, there is a need to review university’s role in nurturing holistic development of students. Based on the positive youth development approach, it is argued that promoting intrapersonal competencies is an important strategy to facilitate holistic development of young people in Hong Kong. In The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a course entitled Tomorrow’s Leader focusing on positive youth development constructs to promote student well-being will be offered on a compulsory basis starting from 2012/13 academic year under the new undergraduate curriculum structure. The proposed course was piloted in 2010/11 school year. Different evaluation strategies, including objective outcome evaluation, subjective outcome evaluation, process evaluation, and qualitative evaluation, are being carried out to evaluate the developed course. Preliminary evaluation findings based on the piloting experience in 2010/11 academic year are presented in this paper.

scholarly journals Postlecture Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Subject for University Students in Hong Kong

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Global Evaluation ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Teacher Attributes ◽  
The Subject

The purpose of this study was to examine the postlecture evaluation by the students taking a course (Tomorrow's Leaders) that attempted to promote their leadership qualities and intrapersonal competencies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. Except for the last lecture, students were invited to respond to a 12-item postlecture questionnaire after each lecture. Results showed that the students had positive perceptions of the subject, class, and teacher attributes, and they had positive global evaluation of the teacher and the subject. The postlecture evaluation questionnaire was found to possess good psychometric properties. Multiple regression analyses showed that subject, class, and teacher attributes were predictive of global evaluation of the lecture and the teacher. In conjunction with other evaluation findings, the present findings strongly suggest that students had positive perceptions of the attributes and benefits of “Tomorrow's Leaders.”

scholarly journals Family and Personal Adjustment of Economically Disadvantaged Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Pik Fong Tsui
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Developmental Outcomes ◽  
Family Interaction ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
School Students ◽  
Positive Identity ◽  
The Relationship

This study attempted to examine the relationship between poverty and adolescent developmental outcomes in the family and personal domains in 3,328 Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong. Developmental outcomes included positive youth development constructs, problem behaviors, perceived family interaction, and parental parenting. Results showed that adolescents experiencing poverty did not differ from nonpoor adolescents in terms of risk behavior and in most indicators of positive youth development. On the other hand, adolescents with economic disadvantage displayed lower levels of positive identity, family interaction, and perceived paternal parenting than did those without economic disadvantage.

The students were happy, but did they change positively?

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu ◽  
Cecilia M.S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Moral Competence ◽  
Service Leadership ◽  
The Subject

AbstractAt The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a 2-credit General Education subject entitled “Service Leadership” was developed to promote service leadership qualities (including leadership competencies, moral character, and caring disposition) in university students. The subject was piloted in one class with 60 students in the 2012/2013 academic year. Pretest and posttest data utilizing measures of positive youth development, life satisfaction, and service leadership qualities were collected. Positive changes in the program participants were found, particularly for measures in behavioral competence, moral competence, character strengths, general positive youth development qualities, and overall service leadership qualities. The present study provided preliminary support for the effectiveness of the subject in nurturing service leadership qualities of Chinese university students in Hong Kong.

Cognitive competence: a key positive youth development construct for university students

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Cognitive Competence ◽  
Effective Leaders ◽  
Important Quality ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Issues

AbstractCognitive competence is an important quality for effective leaders. To help university students understand the importance of cognitive competence and develop this quality, a lecture on cognitive competence is designed and incorporated in a general education subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders”. The present paper reviews the basic concepts and theories of cognitive competence and outlines its linkages with positive youth development and effective leadership. The objectives, intended learning outcomes for students, lecture outline, and related materials of the lecture on cognitive competence are introduced. Some teaching and learning issues in relation to this lecture are also discussed.

Emotional competence: a key leadership competence for university students

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M.S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Emotional Competence ◽  
Effective Leader ◽  
Important Quality ◽  
Basic Concepts ◽  
Leadership Competence ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes

AbstractIn the leadership literature, emotional competence is commonly regarded as an important quality of an effective leader. In this paper, the basic concepts and theories of emotional competence are introduced. The role of emotional competence in positive youth development and effective leadership is described. To help students appreciate the importance of emotional competence, a lecture on emotional competence was developed in a subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders” at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The objectives, intended learning outcomes, lecture outline and lecture materials are presented in this paper. Issues regarding the teaching of emotional competence are discussed.

Resilience as a focus of a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Hildie Leung
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Adolescent Development ◽  
Development Literature ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes

AbstractResilience is an important construct in the positive youth development literature. In this paper, the definition and concept of resilience are introduced. The relationships between resilience and adolescent development as well as leadership are also addressed. To help students develop qualities on resilience, a lecture on resilience is developed in a subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders”. The objectives, intended learning outcomes, lecture outline and lecture materials are presented in this paper. Some issues surrounding the teaching of this lecture are discussed.

Do university students change after taking a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development?

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M.S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
University Students ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
The Subject

AbstractThe changes in university students after taking a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development (“Tomorrow’s Leaders” at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) are presented in this paper. Adopting a pre-experimental design (one group pretest-posttest design), 1029 students responded to a questionnaire assessing different aspects of development, including measures of positive youth development and life satisfaction. While students showed positive changes in self-determination, thriving and life satisfaction, their scores declined in some measures of positive youth development. The present findings are consistent with the previous findings that the subject is able to promote the holistic development of university students in Hong Kong, but it also generated some odd findings to be clarified in future studies.

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