1. Maximising Potential: The Psychological Effects of the Youth Development Programme Project K.
- Author
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Furness, Kirsty, Williams, Matt N., Veale, Jaimie F., and Gardner, Dianne H.
- Subjects
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YOUTH development , *SELF-efficacy , *PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience , *SOCIAL belonging , *WELL-being , *SECONDARY schools - Abstract
Project K is a positive youth development programme targeting 13-15 year old students with low self-efficacy. It involves three components: wilderness adventure, community challenge and individual mentoring. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate changes in self-efficacy, resilience, connectedness and wellbeing in students participating in Project K. Eighty students (59% male) were recruited from five secondary schools across the North Island of New Zealand for a quasi-experimental study. Participants displaying delinquent behaviour, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or an eating disorder were excluded. Over 14 months, six waves of measurement were completed by Project K participants (n = 49), while four waves of measurement were completed by a control group (n = 31). Analyses using multilevel models showed that completion of Project K had substantial positive effects on selfefficacy, resilience, and wellbeing, although the effect on connectedness was not significant. We conclude that Project K appears to be an effective positive youth development programme for adolescents with low self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017