title: Engagement and Mentor Support as Drivers of Social Development in the Project K Youth Development Program.
abstract: Youth development programs can achieve positive social outcomes, however studies comparing the influence of different program components are rare. Structural equation modeling of longitudinal, multilevel data (N = 327) from Project K, a multi-component youth development program, assessed how experiences of engagement or support in each component affected social outcomes. Participants reported significant gains in social self-efficacy and sense of community after the program. Engagement in the outdoor adventure and support during the mentoring partnership components significantly contributed to observed social gains, while engagement in the community service component did not. Results confirm youth development programs can positively influence adolescent social development, while highlighting the importance of moving beyond "black box" investigations in order to maximize program impact and efficiency.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. c.chapman@psy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Cassandra M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8488-6106
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92601, Auckland 1150, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kelsey L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Deane
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harré
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, 100 Leicester St, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew G R
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.affiliation: Graeme Dingle Foundation, PO Box 305 474, Triton Plaza, North Shore 0757, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D016730:Program Development; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012922:Social Change
keywords: Adventure programs; Mentoring; Program evaluation; Self-efficacy; Social development; Youth development