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The Impact of the Project K Youth Development Program on Self-Efficacy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Kelsey L Deane1, Niki Harré2, Julie Moore3
1Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92601, Auckland, 1150, New Zealand. k.deane@auckland.ac.nz.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|March 18, 2016
Summary
Project K, a youth development program, effectively boosts academic and social self-efficacy in adolescents. These positive effects on self-efficacy and interpersonal skills are sustained one year later.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Youth Development Programs
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Youth development programs aim to foster transferable skills and cater to diverse participants.
- Assessing the long-term impact and efficacy of such programs on participants' self-perception is crucial.
- Low self-efficacy in adolescents can hinder academic and social development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Project K on academic and social self-efficacy in 14-15 year olds.
- To determine if the program's effects on self-efficacy are sustained one year post-intervention.
- To investigate potential differential effects across participant subgroups.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial design was employed.
- 600 participants in Project K and 577 control participants were assessed at baseline.
- Data collection included self-efficacy measures and parent perceptions of interpersonal skills.
Main Results:
- Project K significantly improved both social and academic self-efficacy from pre- to post-program.
- These improvements in self-efficacy were sustained one year after program completion.
- Parental reports corroborated the positive changes in participants' interpersonal skills.
Conclusions:
- Project K is an effective youth development program for enhancing adolescent self-efficacy.
- The program demonstrates sustained positive impacts on social and academic self-efficacy.
- Further research is needed to understand differential program effects across diverse participant groups.
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