Using students' weekly diaries to evaluate positive youth development programs: the case of Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.

Six schools participating in the Full Implementation Phase of Project P.A.T.H.S. (Secondary 1 Level) were randomly selected and invited to join this research study. After completion of the Tier 1 Program, 216 Secondary 1 (Grade 7) students in the participating schools were randomly invited to write a reflective journal in the form of a weekly diary to reveal their perceptions and feelings regarding the Tier 1 Program and the related benefits. Results of the qualitative data analyses showed that most of the respondents: (a) had positive views of the program, (b) had positive views of the instructors, and (c) stated that they had acquired competencies at societal, familial, interpersonal, and personal levels after joining the program. The present qualitative findings based on students' weekly diaries provide additional support for the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.