Training workers implementing adolescent prevention and positive youth development programs: what have we learned from the literature?

Abstract

Although many studies are evaluating the effectiveness of adolescent prevention and positive youth development programs, training programs for workers implementing such programs are seldom examined. In this paper, such programs indexed in several databases were reviewed. The basic characteristics, objectives, content, theory, process, and evaluation of the programs reviewed were examined. Results showed several weaknesses in the published training programs and research gaps in the literature were identified. Several principles guiding the design of training programs for adolescent prevention and positive youth development programs were proposed, including design of the training program around a learning model, raising the trainees' motivation and self-efficacy, teaching knowledge, self-reflective skills and open-mindedness, provision of demonstrations, active participation, and open discussions, and evaluation of the training program. These principles were utilized in the training program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.