Related Experiment Videos
Beliefs in the future as a positive youth development construct: a conceptual review
Rachel C F Sun1, Daniel T L Shek
1Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. rachels@hku.hk
Abstract:
Beliefs in the future are an internalization of hope and optimism about future outcomes. This paper reviews and compares several theories of hope and optimism and highlights the features constituting beliefs in the future. This paper points out that beliefs in the future include a series of goal-directed thoughts and motivation, such as setting up valued and attainable goals, planning pathways, and maintaining self-confidence and mastery, so as to keep adolescents engaged in the pursuit of goals. This kind of personal mastery, together with sociocultural values, family, school, and peers are the antecedents leading to beliefs in the future, which is related to adolescents' well-being and positive development. In order to cultivate adolescents' beliefs in the future, enabling their ability to manipulate goal-directed thoughts and motivation and providing a supportive environment including their family, school, peers, and the society are recommended.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Self-Efficacy
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Unrealistic Optimism Bias
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition