Positive youth development programs : experience based on the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

Abstract

A survey of the literature shows that there are worrying trends and phenomena related to the development of adolescents in Hong Kong. As such, primary prevention programs targeting specific adolescent developmental problems and positive youth development programs are called for. However, research findings show that there are very few systematic and multi-year positive youth development programs in Hong Kong. In response to this worrying picture, a positive youth development program entitled Project P.A. THS. was initiated by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to promote holistic development of junior secondary school students in Hong Kong, with the involvement of five universities in Hong Kong the program development, training and evaluation. Based on different evaluation strategies, existing research findings generally revealed that different stakeholders had positive perceptions of the program, workers. as well as benefits the program and the program was effective in promoting holistic positive youth development in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. 在近年，多項本地調查顯示，香港青少年的發展有多個令人擔憂的現象及趨勢。社會有需要發展基層健康方案，以針對年青人的發展問題及培育正面發展。可是，香港多年來都未有開發有系統及持續的青少年正面成長課程。針對這令人擔憂的現象，香港賽馬會結善信託基金贊助及椎動了一個名為「共創成長路」的青少年正面成長課程，以促進香港初中學生的全面發展。「共創成長路」計劃的課程由本地五所大學所設計、並進行導師培訓及成效評估。通過使用不同的評估策略，成效研究結果顯示，不同的利益相關者普遍對計劃、導師、及效益有正面的評價，認為「共創成長路」的課程能有效地促進香港青少年的正面發展。