Success factors of a community-based positive youth development program : Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

Abstract

To examine the effectiveness of a positive youth development program in Hong Kong, we conducted two separate focus group interviews with program participants and program implementers as participants. The participants were also asked to complete subjective outcome evaluation questionnaires, and the related findings were used to supplement the findings from the interviews. The findings generally showed that the program had positive impact on the program participants, and its effectiveness was primarily reinforced by four factors. They included 1) active participation of students, 2) good design of the program, 3) good professional skills and techniques of social workers, and 4) active involvement of teachers. In conjunction with the previous studies, this results further support the claim that the community-based Project P.A.T.H.S. is effective in promoting positive development of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong.