title: Self-determination as a positive youth development construct: conceptual bases and implications for curriculum development.
abstract: This paper outlines the conceptualization of self-determination from the perspectives of motivation, skills enhancement and positive youth development. Self-determination, as a positive youth development construct in the Hong Kong Positive Youth Development Program (P.A.T.H.S.), refers to young people's ability to set goals and make choices according to his/her own thinking. In accordance with adolescents' developmental needs, the key components which cultivate self-determination in this Curriculum include self-awareness, goal setting, problem solving and choice making. Eight Units are devised which target at cultivating self-determination as a positive youth construct. In addition, other Units which targets at fostering bonding, social, emotional, cognitive competence, self-efficacy and self-identity also reinforce the cultivation of self-determination. This paper also includes strategies which schools may adopt to foster an autonomy supportive learning environment.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. eadaoin@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Eadaoin K P
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Sandra K M
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tsang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D003210:Concept Formation; D003469:Culture; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012737:Sex Factors