Real-world trial of positive youth development program ?LifeMatters? with South African adolescents in a low-resource setting

Page, DT (通讯作者),147 Dorp St, Apartment 5, ZA-7600 Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2023-3
Positive youth development (PYD) programs have significant health and well-being benefits, but these are rarely examined in low- or middle-income countries such as South Africa. LifeMatters is a 10-session PYD program combining elements of sport psychology and cognitive behavioural theory. We conducted a pragmatic trial of LifeMatters, implemented by trained university student facilitators with three groups of South African adolescents (n = 28; aged 13-19 years) in a low-resource setting. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests indicated improvements (pre- to post- program) in adolescent personal growth, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and PYD outcomes. Evaluation forms (qualitative data) revealed participants enjoyed the program content, connected with facilitators, learned psychological skills and prosocial values, had intentions to share learned content, and would repeat the program. Focus groups were performed with program facilitators and field notes documented implementation. Thematic analysis identified three themes relating to program content, -implementation, and -impact. Study feasibility was influenced by several overlapping challenges/barriers. LifeMatters was considered culturally relevant and effective; implementation outcomes, implications for practice, and suggested improvements are discussed. This pragmatic trial provides insight into the utility of using trained student facilitators to implement a PYD program teaching psychological skills to adolescents in a low-resource setting.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW
卷号:146
ISSN:0190-7409|收录类别:SSCI
语种
英语
来源机构
University of Queensland; University of Queensland; University of Queensland
被引频次(WOS)
0
被引频次(其他)
0
180天使用计数
0
2013以来使用计数
0
EISSN
1873-7765
出版年
2023-3
DOI
10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106818
学科领域
循证社会学
关键词
Sport psychology Positive psychology Mental skills Underserved communities Physical activity Program evaluation
WOS学科分类
Family Studies Social Work