Home Effectiveness of a Chinese positive youth development program: the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Effectiveness of a Chinese positive youth development program: the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

  • Daniel T.L. Shek EMAIL logo and Cecilia M.S. Ma
Published/Copyright: July 21, 2014

Abstract

Adopting a static group comparison design, this study examined the effectiveness of Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programs) using social survey data. In a longitudinal study, 3328 students were recruited from 28 secondary schools for the wave 1 data, with 16 participating schools (P group) and 12 nonparticipating schools (NP group). The data were collected roughly 4 months after the inception of Project P.A.T.H.S., and the data collection time for the two groups was similar. Results showed that the two groups did not differ in their school characteristics, with the exception of student age, length of stay in Hong Kong and family functioning. Analyses of covariance were conducted with the removal of the effects of age, length of stay in Hong Kong and family functioning. Compared with students in the nonparticipating schools, students participating in the Project P.A.T.H.S. had better positive youth development and displayed less adolescent risk behavior. Acknowledging the limitations of a static group comparison as a pre-experimental design, the present study provides supplementary evidence on the effectiveness of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.


Corresponding author: Daniel T.L. Shek, PhD, FHKPS, BBS, SBS, JP, Chair Professor of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Room HJ407, Core H, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, P.R. China, E-mail: ; Centre for Innovative Programmes for Adolescents and Families, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China; Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, P.R. China; Department of Social Work, East China Normal University, P.R. China; and Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA

Acknowledgments

The preparation for this paper and the Project P.A.T.H.S. were financially supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

References

1. Erikson E. Childhood and society, revised edition. New York: Norton, 1963.Search in Google Scholar

2. Newman BM, Newman PR. Development through life: a psychosocial approach. Homewood, IL: Dorsey Press, 1984.Search in Google Scholar

3. Simpson AR, Roehlkepartain JL. Asset building in parenting practices and family life. In: Lerner RM, Benson PL, editors. Developmental assets and asset-building communities: implications for research, policy and practice. New York: Kluwer Academic Plenum, 2003:157–93.Search in Google Scholar

4. Shek DT, Yu L. A review of validated youth prevention and positive youth development programs in Asia. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2011;23:317–24.Search in Google Scholar

5. Catalano RF, Berglund ML, Ryan JA, Lonczak HS, Hawkins JD. Positive youth development in the United States: research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Prev Treat 2002;5:1–111.10.1037/1522-3736.5.1.515aSearch in Google Scholar

6. Shek DT, Yu L. Confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS: a demonstration. Int J Disabil Hum Dev 2014;13:191–204.Search in Google Scholar

7. Shek DT, Ma MS. The use of confirmatory factor analyses in adolescent research: Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong. Int J Disabil Hum Dev 2014;13:217–26.Search in Google Scholar

8. Shek DT, Ma HK, Merrick J. Editorial: effectiveness of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: evaluation based on different strategies and different studies over time. Sci World J 2012, article ID 427801; doi: 10.1100/2012/427801.10.1100/2012/427801Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

9. Shek DT, Ma CM. 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. Sci World J 2012, article ID 170345; doi:10.1100/2012/170345.10.1100/2012/170345Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

10. Shek DT, Yu L. Longitudinal impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. on adolescent risk behavior: what happened after five years. Sci World J 2012, article ID 316029; doi: 10.1100/2012/316029.10.1100/2012/316029Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

11. Shek DT, Sun RC. Participants’ evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S.: are findings based on different datasets consistent? Sci World J 2012, article ID 187450; doi: 10.1100/2012/187450.10.1100/2012/187450Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

12. Shek DT, Ma CM. Program implementers’ evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S.: findings based on different datasets over time. Sci World J 2012, article ID 918437; doi: 10.1100/2012/918437.10.1100/2012/918437Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

13. Shek DT. Secondary data analyses of subjective outcome evaluation data based on nine databases. Sci World J 2012, article ID 346369; doi: 10.1100/2012/346369.10.1100/2012/346369Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

14. Law BM, Shek DT. Process evaluation of a positive youth development program in Hong Kong based on different cohorts. Sci World J 2012, article ID 736730; doi: 10.1100/2012/736730.10.1100/2012/736730Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

15. Shek DT, Yu L. Interim evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S.: findings based on different datasets. Sci World J 2012, article ID 132826; doi: 10.1100/2012/132826.10.1100/2012/132826Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

16. Shek DT. Qualitative evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S.: an integration of findings based on program implementers. Sci World J 2012, article ID 591816; doi: 10.1100/2012/591816.10.1100/2012/591816Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

17. Shek DT, Sun RC. Qualitative evaluation of Project P.A.T.H.S.: an integration of findings based on program participants. Sci World J 2012, article ID 528483; doi: 10.1100/2012/528483.10.1100/2012/528483Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

18. Shek DT, Sun RC. Evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. based on students’ weekly diaries: findings from eight datasets. Sci World J 2012, article ID 354254; doi: 10.1100/2012/354254.10.1100/2012/354254Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

19. Shek DT. Evaluation of a positive youth development program based on the repertory grid test. Sci World J 2012, article ID 372752; doi: 10.1100/2012/372752.10.1100/2012/372752Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

20. Shek DT, Lee TY. Helping adolescents with greater psychosocial needs: subjective outcome evaluation based on different cohorts. Sci World J 2012, article ID 694018; doi: 10.1100/2012/694018.10.1100/2012/694018Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

21. Shek DT, Sun RC. Epilogue: the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: lessons learned and implications for positive youth development programs. Sci World J 2012, article ID 687536; doi: 10.1100/2012/687536.10.1100/2012/687536Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

22. Shek DT, Siu AMH, Lee TY, Cheung CK, Chung R. Effectiveness of the tier 1 program of the Project P.A.T.H.S.: objective outcome evaluation based on a randomized group trial. Sci World J 2008;8:4–12.10.1100/tsw.2008.16Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

23. Shek DT. Objective outcome evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: findings based on individual growth curve models. Sci World J 2010;10:182–91.10.1100/tsw.2010.18Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

24. Shek DT, Sun RC. Effectiveness of the Tier 1 program of Project P.A.T.H.S.: findings based on three years of program implementation. Sci World J 2010;10:1509–19.10.1100/tsw.2010.122Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

25. Cook TD, Campbell DT. Quasi-experimentation: design and analysis issues for field settings. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1993.Search in Google Scholar

26. Rubin A, Babbie E. Research methods for social work. Belmont, CA: Brooks Cole, 2005.Search in Google Scholar

27. Shadish WR, Cook TD, Campbell DT. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002.Search in Google Scholar

28. Singleton RA, Straits BC. Approaches to social research. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.Search in Google Scholar

29. Shek DT, Ma CM. The Chinese Family Assessment Instrument (C-FAI): hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses and factorial invariance. Soc Indic Res 2010;20:112–23.Search in Google Scholar

30. Shek DT, Ma CM. Dimensionality of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale: confirmatory factor analyses. Soc Indic Res 2010;98:41–59.10.1007/s11205-009-9515-9Search in Google Scholar

31. Shek DT. Measurement of pessimism in Chinese adolescents: the Chinese Hopelessness Scale. Soc Behav Pers 1993;21:107–19.10.2224/sbp.1993.21.2.107Search in Google Scholar

32. Yong KS. Caught in the net: how to recognize the signs of Internet addiction and a winning strategy of recovery. New York: Wiley, 1998.Search in Google Scholar

33. Shek DT, Tang VM, Lo CY. Internet addiction in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: assessment, profiles, and psychosocial correlates. Sci World J 2008;8:776–87.10.1100/tsw.2008.104Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

34. Shek DT, Yu L. Internet addiction phenomenon in early adolescents in Hong Kong. Sci World J 2012, article ID 104304; doi: 10.1100/2012/104304.10.1100/2012/104304Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

35. Shek DT, Ma CM. Consumption of pornographic materials among early adolescents in Hong Long: profiles and psychosocial correlates. Int J Disabil Hum Dev 2012;11:143–50.Search in Google Scholar

36. Shek DT, Yu L. Self-harm and suicidal behaviors in Hong Kong adolescents: prevalence and psychosocial correlates. Sci World J 2012, article ID 932540; doi: 10.1100/2012/932540.10.1100/2012/932540Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

37. Law MF, Shek DT. Self-harm and suicide attempts among young Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: prevalence, correlates, and changes. J Pediatr Adolesc Gyncel 2013;26:S26–32.10.1016/j.jpag.2013.03.012Search in Google Scholar PubMed

38. Damon W. What is positive youth development? Ann Am Acad Polit Soc Sci 2004;591:13–24.10.1177/0002716203260092Search in Google Scholar

39. Benson PL. All kids are our kids: what communities must do to raise caring and responsible children and adolescents. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.Search in Google Scholar

40. Wilson SJ, Lipsey M. The effects of school-based social information processing interventions on aggressive behavior, part I: Universal programs. Campbell Syst Rev 2006;5:1–42.Search in Google Scholar

41. Tremblay RE, Kurtz L, Masse LC, Vitaro F, Pihl RO. A bi-modal preventive intervention for disruptive kindergarten boys: its impact through mid-adolescence. J Consult Clin Psychol 1995;63:560–68.10.1037/0022-006X.63.4.560Search in Google Scholar

42. Hawkins JW, Brown EC, Oesterle S, Arthur MW, Abbott RD, Catalano RF. Early effects of communities that care on targeted risks and initiation of delinquent behavior and substance use. J Adolesc Health 2008;43:15–22.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.022Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

43. Sun RC, Shek DT. Life satisfaction, positive youth development and problem behaviour among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Soc Indic Res 2010;95:455–74.10.1007/s11205-009-9531-9Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

44. Sun RC, Shek DT. Positive youth development, life satisfaction and problem behavior among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: a replication. Soc Indic Res 2012;105:541–59.10.1007/s11205-011-9786-9Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

45. Durlak JA, Weissberg RP, Dymnicki AB, Taylor RD, Schellinger KB. The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: a meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Dev 2011;82:405–32.10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

46. Catalano RF, Fagan AA, Gavin LE, Greenberg MT, Irwin CE, Ross DA, et al. Worldwide application of prevention science in adolescent health. Lancet 2012;379:1653–64.10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60238-4Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2013-8-16
Accepted: 2013-9-12
Published Online: 2014-7-21
Published in Print: 2014-11-1

©2014 by De Gruyter

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Editorial
  3. A tale of two innovative leadership subjects in Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
  4. Review
  5. Teaching a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development: some personal reflections
  6. Original Articles
  7. Leadership and intra-personal development: relevance to Chinese nursing students
  8. Evaluation of a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development: views of the students based on qualitative evaluation
  9. Perceptions of a university subject on leadership and intrapersonal development: reflections of the scholarship recipients
  10. Do university students change after taking a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development?
  11. Post-course subjective outcome evaluation of a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development for university students in Hong Kong
  12. Post-lecture subjective outcome evaluation of a university subject on leadership and positive youth development in Hong Kong
  13. The role of teachers in youth development: reflections of students
  14. Perceived benefits of a university subject on leadership and intrapersonal development
  15. Effectiveness of a Chinese positive youth development program: the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong
  16. The relationship between subjective outcome evaluation and objective outcome evaluation findings: evidence from China
  17. The students were happy, but did they change positively?
  18. Service leadership education for university students in Hong Kong: subjective outcome evaluation
  19. Service leadership education for university students in Hong Kong: qualitative evaluation
  20. Process evaluation of a pilot subject on service leadership for university students in Hong Kong
  21. Book Reviews
  22. European yearbook of disability law Mortsel
  23. Care of the adult with intellectual disability in primary care
Downloaded on 8.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijdhd-2014-0346/html
Scroll to top button