This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (positive adolescent training through holistic social programmes) based on eight datasets collected between 2005 and 2009. A total of 1,138 students who participated in the program were randomly invited (from the whole grade or in some classes) to write a piece of journal in the form of a weekly diary in order to reveal their perceptions and feelings regarding the program and the perceived benefits of the program. Based on an integration of findings from different databases, results showed that the respondents generally (1) had positive views on the program, (2) had positive views on the instructors, and (3) perceived that they had acquired competencies at the societal, school, familial, interpersonal, and personal levels after joining the program. Acknowledging the limitations of diaries, the present qualitative findings provide support for the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.

Daniel T. L. Shek

Rachel C. F. Sun

Evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. Based on Students’ Weekly Diaries: Findings from Eight Datasets

The repertory grid test, based on personal construct psychology, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) in Hong Kong. One hundred and four program participants (<svg style="vertical-align:-0.17555pt;width:50.724998px;" id="M1" height="10.9125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 50.724998 10.9125" width="50.724998"  xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	<g transform="matrix(1.25,0,0,-1.25,0,10.9125)">
		<g transform="translate(72,-63.27)">
			<text transform="matrix(1,0,0,-1,-71.95,63.5)">
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="0" y="0">𝑛</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="9.6773224" y="0">=</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="21.71771" y="0">1</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="27.969212" y="0">0</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="34.220711" y="0">4</tspan>
			</text>

		</g>
	</g>
</svg>) were randomly invited to complete a repertory grid based on personal construct theory in order to provide both quantitative and qualitative data for measuring self-identity changes after joining the program. Findings generally showed that the participants perceived that they understood themselves better and had stronger resilience after joining the program. Participants also saw themselves as closer to their ideal selves and other positive role figures (but farther away from a loser) after joining the program. This study provides additional support for the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S. in the Chinese context. This study also shows that the repertory grid test is a useful evaluation method to measure self-identity changes in participants in positive youth development programs.

Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Program Based on the Repertory Grid Test

The Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is designed to help students with greater psychosocial needs. This paper examines nine sets of subjective outcome evaluation data collected from 2005 to 2009 (<svg style="vertical-align:-1.76814pt;width:72.862503px;" id="M1" height="13.0125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 72.862503 13.0125" width="72.862503"  xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	<g transform="matrix(1.25,0,0,-1.25,0,13.0125)">
		<g transform="translate(72,-61.59)">
			<text transform="matrix(1,0,0,-1,-71.95,63.4)">
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="0" y="0">𝑛</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="9.6773224" y="0">=</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="21.71771" y="0">6</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="27.969212" y="0">0</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="34.220711" y="0">,</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="39.434464" y="0">2</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="45.685963" y="0">4</tspan>
				<tspan style="font-size: 12.50px; " x="51.937462" y="0">1</tspan>
			</text>

		</g>
	</g>
</svg> participants). Based on the consolidated data with schools as units, results showed that participants generally had positive perceptions of the program, implementers, and benefits of the program. The subjective outcome evaluation instrument was found to be internally consistent. Multiple regression analysis revealed that perceived qualities of the program and the program implementers predicted perceived effectiveness of the program. The present study provides support for the effectiveness of the Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.

Tak Yan Lee

Helping Adolescents with Greater Psychosocial Needs: Subjective Outcome Evaluation Based on Different Cohorts

The Project P.A.T.H.S. is a positive youth development program which attempts to promote holistic development of junior secondary schools in Hong Kong. It is ground breaking in terms of the number of schools participating in the project and financial resources injected into the project. Based on the experiences gained from the implementation of the project and evaluation data collected from 2005 to 2011, several issues pertinent to the development of positive youth development programs in the Chinese culture are discussed. These issues include complexity of program development, importance of training, identification of factors governing program implementation, need for evaluation, and promotion of sustainability of the program in the long run.

The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong&#8212;Lessons Learned and Implications for Positive Youth Development Programs

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The Scientific World Journal

Evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: Findings Based on Multiple Methods

Evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: Findings Based on Multiple Methods

Articles

Evaluation of the Project P.A.T.H.S. Based on Students’ Weekly Diaries: Findings from Eight Datasets

Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Program Based on the Repertory Grid Test

Helping Adolescents with Greater Psychosocial Needs: Subjective Outcome Evaluation Based on Different Cohorts

The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong—Lessons Learned and Implications for Positive Youth Development Programs