Prosocial involvement as a positive youth development construct: Conceptual bases and implications for curriculum development

Howard C.H. Cheng, Man Hong Andrew Siu, Mana C.M. Leung

Research output: Journal article publicationReview articleAcademic researchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pro-social involvement programmes are significant and important for the healthy growth of adolescents as well as for the development of society. Pro-social involvement of adolescence refers to paid-job, volunteer works, sport and games. It serves the functions of making adolescents aware of and to accept the social norms and moral standard of the society, which would bring positive changes to the adolescents and consequently benefit the society as a whole. Past studies showed that adolescents who participated in pro-social involvement programmes tended to have positive self-perception, more social skills, and less anti-social behaviors. In Hong Kong, professionals in education and social services have fully recognized the benefits of pro-involvement programmes. They have organized multi-level and diverse pro-social involvement programmes and encouraged adolescents to participate. Through participation, adolescents could be helped to redefine their relationship with the society, and maximize their potentials for growth. The current programme described in this article is designed in the P.A.T.H.S. Project, support by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)393-400
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health
Volume18
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006

Keywords

  • Hong Kong
  • Prosocial activities
  • Prosocial involvement
  • Prosocial norms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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