title: Is subjective outcome evaluation related to objective outcome evaluation? Insights from a longitudinal study in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Empirical studies investigating the inter-relationships among subjective outcomes and objective outcomes are sparse in the scientific literature. This study examined the relationship between these 2 forms of outcome evaluation data in Chinese adolescents, utilizing longitudinal data.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Wave 3 and Wave 4 of a randomized group trial, 2,784 Chinese secondary school students responded to the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale (CPYDS) assessing objective outcome at pretest (Wave 3) and posttest (Wave 4). Students in the experimental schools also responded to a measure of client satisfaction assessing the subjective outcome of a positive youth development program at posttest (Wave 4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective outcome evaluation measures (eg, process, program, and effectiveness) at Wave 3 were significantly correlated with CPYDS scores at Wave 4 and difference scores. Subjective outcome evaluation measures also predicted changes in the objective outcome evaluation measures scores across time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings replicated the previous findings that subjective outcome and objective outcome evaluation findings were intimately related, and subjective outcome measures predicted posttest measures and their changes over time. The present study suggests that subjective outcome evaluation findings may yield useful information regarding program effectiveness in youth work settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China; Centre for Innovative Programmes for Adolescents and Families, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China; Department of Social Work, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P. R. China; Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, P.R. China. Electronic address: daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Daniel T L
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Shek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D041923:Adolescent Development; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D006293:Health Promotion; D006694:Holistic Health; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D035863:Moral Development; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012572:School Health Services; D020377:Self Efficacy; D058992:Social Participation; D066107:Social Skills; D029181:Spirituality; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Chinese adolescents; Client satisfaction approach; Objective outcome evaluation; Project P.A.T.H.S; Subjective outcome evaluation