Abstract
In many social science theories, personal and environmental factors have been proposed to be factors governing adolescent well-being. On the personal level, there are views proposing that positive youth development attributes (such as resilience, spirituality and psychosocial competence) are positively related to adolescent well-being. On the environmental level, there are family theories arguing that positive family functioning attributes (such as mutuality and communication quality) contribute to adolescent well-being. In this chapter, theories on positive youth development and family functioning related to adolescent development are described. Utilizing the longitudinal data collected in the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong, the chapter explores the influence of positive youth development and family functioning on the well-being (indexed by life satisfaction, hopelessness and risk behavior) of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. The empirical findings generally suggest that positive youth development attributes and family functioning are determinants of Chinese adolescent well-being. This observation is consistent with the Confucian emphasis of “xiu shen, qi jia” (i.e., cultivation of oneself and regulation of one’s family) as fundamental cornerstone of human and social development.
This paper and the Project P.A.T.H.S. are financially supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Address all correspondence to Daniel T.L. Shek, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abu-Rayya, H. M., & Yang, B. (2012). Unhealthy family functioning as a psychological context underlying Australian children’s emotional and behavioural problems. Internet Journal of Mental Health, 8(1).
Banmen, J. (2002). The Satir model: Yesterday and today. Contemporary Family Therapy, 24(1), 7–22.
Beavers, W. R., & Hampson, R. B. (1993). Measuring family competence: The Beavers Systems Model. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (2nd, pp. 73–103). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Beavers, R., & Hampson, R. B. (2000). The Beavers systems model of family functioning. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 128–143.
Benson, P. L. (1997). All kids are our kids: What communities must do to raise caring and responsible children and adolescents. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Benson, P. L. (2003). Developmental assets and asset-building community: Conceptual and empirical foundations. In R. M. Lerner & P. Benson (Eds.), Developmental assets and asset-building communities: Implications for research, policy, and practice (pp. 19–43). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.
Benson, P. L. (2007). Developmental assets: An overview of theory, research and practice. In R. K. Silbereisen & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Approaches to positive youth development (pp. 33–58). London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Benson, P. L., & Leffert, N. (2001). Childhood and adolescence: Developmental assets. In N. J. Smelser & P. G. Baltes (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sciences (pp. 1690–1697). Oxford: Pergamon.
Benson, P. L., Scales, P. C., Hamilton, S. F., & Sesma, A. Jr. (2006). Positive youth development: Theory, research and applications. In R. M. Lerner, W. Damon, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology (6th, pp. 894–942). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Bowen, M. (1974). Toward the differentiation of self in one’s family of origin. In M. Bowen (Ed.), Family therapy in clinical practice (pp. 529–553). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Bowen, M. (1976). Theory in the practice of psychotherapy. In M. Bowen. (Ed.), Family therapy in clinical practice (pp. 337–388). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1994). Ecological models of human development. In M. Gauvain & M. Cole (Eds.), Readings on the development of children (pp. 37–43). New York: Freeman.
Catalano, R. F., Berglund, L. M., Ryan, J. A., Lonczak, H. S., & Hawkins, J. D. (1998). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Social Development Research Group, University of Washington, WA.
Catalano, R. F., Berglund, M. L., Ryan, J. A. M., Lonczak, H. S., & Hawkins, J. D. (2002). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of the positive youth development programs. Prevention & Treatment. 5(15), 1–111.
Catalano, R. F., Berglund, M. L., Ryan, J. A. M., Lonczak, H. S., & Hawkins, J. D. (2004). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 591, 98–124. DOI: 10.1177/0002716203260102.
Catalano, R. F., Fagan, A. A., Gavin, L. E., Greenberg, M. T., Irwin, C. E., Ross, D. A., & Shek, D. T. L. (2012). Worldwide application of prevention science in adolescent health. Lancet, 379(9826), 1653–1664.
Cavendish, W., Montague, M., Enders, C., & Dietz, S. (2014). Mothers’ and adolescents’ perceptions of family environment and adolescent social-emotional functioning. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(1), 52–66.
Church, W. T., Wharton, T., & Taylor, J. K. (2009). An examination of differential association and social control theory: Family systems and delinquency. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 7(1), 3–15.
Dickstein, S. (2002). Family routines and rituals – The importance of family functioning: Comment on the special section. Journal of Family Psychology, 16(4), 441–444.
Dukakis, K., London, R. A., McLaughlin, M., & Williamson, D. (2009). Positive youth development: Individual, setting and system level indicators (Issue brief: Positive youth development indicators). Stanford, CA: John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities.
Eichelsheim, V. I. (2010). General introduction. In V. I. Eichelsheim (Ed.), The complexity of families: Assessing family relationships and their association with externalizing problems (pp. 7–18). Labor Grafimedia BV, Utrecht.
Eichelsheim, V. I., Dekovic, M., Buist, K. L., Prinzie, P., & Hoeve, M. (2010). Family functioning and child externalizing behavior: A meta-analysis. In V. I. Eichelsheim (Ed.), The complexity of families: Assessing family relationships and their association with externalizing problems (pp. 57–80). Labor Grafimedia BV, Utrecht.
Epstein, N. B., Bishop, D., Ryan, C., Miller, I., & Keitner, G. (1993). The McMaster model view of healthy family functioning. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (pp. 138–160). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Feldman, S. S., & Weinberger, D. A. (1994). Self-restraint as a mediator of family influences on boys’ delinquent behavior: A longitudinal study. Child Development, 65(1), 195–211.
Gontang, R., & Erickson, M. T. (1996). The relationship between Millon’s personality types and family system functioning. American Journal of Family Therapy, 24(3), 215–226.
Gorman-Smith, D., Henry, D. B., & Tolan, P. H. (2004). Exposure to community violence and violence perpetration: The protective effects of family functioning. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33(3), 439–449.
Gorman-Smith, D., Tolan, P. H., Henry, D. B., & Florsheim, P. (2000). Patterns of family functioning and adolescent outcomes among urban African American and Mexican American families. Journal of Family Psychology, 14(3), 436–457.
Grantmakers in Health (2002). Positive youth development: A pathway to healthy teens (Issue brief No. 15). Washington, DC.
Greenley, R. N., Taylor, H. G., Drotar, D., & Minich, N. M. (2007). Longitudinal relationships between early adolescent family functioning and youth adjustment: An examination of the moderating role of very low birth weight. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 32(4), 453–462.
Henneberger, A. K., Durkee, M. I., Truong, N., Atkins, A., & Tolan, P. H. (2013). The longitudinal relationship between peer violence and popularity and delinquency in adolescent boys: Examining effects by family functioning. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(11), 1651–1660.
Jaggers, J. W., Church II, W. T., Tomek, S., Hooper, L. M., Bolland, K. A., & Bolland, J. M. (2014). Adolescent development as a determinant of family cohesion: A longitudinal analysis of adolescents in the mobile youth survey. Journal of Child and Family Studies. Retrieved from http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/513/art%253A10.1007%252Fs10826-014-9966-8.pdf?auth66=1405575772_a7910f6ff7e6d1ea832aeb5e0d02380a&ext=.pdf
Kerr, M. E. & Bowen, M (1988). Family evaluation: An approach based on Bowen theory. New York: Norton.
Law, B. M. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Self-harm and suicide attempts among young Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: Prevalence, correlates, and changes. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3S), S26–S32.
Law, B. M. F. & Shek, D. T. L. (in press). A longitudinal study on deliberate self-harm and suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents. In D. T. L. Shek, R. C. F. Sun, & C. M. S. Ma (Eds.), Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong – Family life, psychological well-being and risk behavior. Singapore: Springer.
Lee, T. Y., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Compensated dating in Hong Kong: Prevalence, psychosocial correlates, and relationships with other risky behaviors. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3S), S42–S48.
Lee, T. Y., & Shek, D. T. L. (in press). Compensated Dating and Juvenile Prostitution in Early Adolescents in Hong Kong. In D. T. L. Shek, R. C. F. Sun, & C. M. S. Ma (Eds.), Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong - Family life, psychological well-being and risk behavior. Singapore: Springer.
Leffert, N., Benson, P. L., Scales, P. C., Sharma, A. R., Drake, D. R., & Blyth, D. A. (1998). Developmental assets: Measurement and prediction of risk behaviors among adolescents. Applied Developmental Science, 2(4), 209–230.
Lerner, R. M. (2004). Liberty: Thriving and civic engagement among America’s youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Lerner, R. M. (2005). Promoting positive youth development: Theoretical and empirical bases. Retrieved from http://ase.tufts.edu/iaryd/documents/pubpromotingpositive.pdf
Lerner, R. M., Alberts, A. E., Jelicic, H., & Smith, L. M. (2006). Young people are resources to be developed: Promoting positive youth development through adult-youth relations and community assets. In E. G. Clary & J. E. Rhodes (Eds.), Mobilizing adults for positive youth development: Strategies for closing the gaps between beliefs and behaviors series (pp. 19–39). US: Springer. DOI: 10.1007/0-387-29340-x_2. Retrieved from http://www.google.com.hk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springer.com%2Fcda%2Fcontent%2Fdocument%2Fcda_downloaddocument%2F9780387291734-c2.pdf%3FSGWID%3D0-0-45-326600-p107023666&ei=-V6lU5e_BsH48QX70oDQDg&usg=AFQjCNEhw3VT5puNlZyUgsHxWqYcrot9Aw&bvm=bv.69411363,d.dGc
Lerner, R. M., & Benson, P. I. (2003). Developmental assets and asset-building communities: Implications for research, policy, and practice. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.
Lewis, L., & Banmen, J. (2008). The positive psychology of Virginia Satir. In J. Banmen (Ed.), Satir transformational systemic therapy (pp. 17–39). Palo Alto, CA: Science & Behavior Books.
Ma, C. M. S., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Consumption of pornographic materials in early adolescents in Hong Kong. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3S), S18–S25.
MacKay, L. J. (2007). Healthy youth development: The role of youth assets (Doctoral dissertation). Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Miller, I. W., Ryan, C. E., Keitner, G. I., Bishop, D. S., & Epstein, N. B. (2000). The McMaster approach to families: Theory, assessment, treatment and research. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 168–189.
Olson, D. H. (1993). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: Assessing family functioning. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (1st, pp. 104–137). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 144–167.
Olson, D. H., & Gorall, D. M. (2006). FACES IV & the Circumplex model. Minneapolis, MN: Life Innovations, Inc.
Peterson, C. (2004). Positive social science. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 591, 186–201.
Pittman, K. (1991). Promoting youth development: Strengthening the role of youth serving and community organizations. Washington, DC: Academy for Educational Development.
Reitz, A. K., Motti-Stefanidi, F., & Asendorpf, J. B. (2014). Mastering developmental transitions in immigrant adolescents: The longitudinal interplay of family functioning, developmental and acculturative tasks. Developmental Psychology, 50(3), 754–765.
Roth, J. L., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2003a). What is a youth development program? Identifying and defining principles. In F. Jacobs, D. Wertlieb, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Enhancing the life chances of youth and families: Public service systems and public policy perspectives: Vol. 2. Handbook of applied developmental science: Promoting positive child, adolescent, and family development through research, policies, and programs (pp. 197–223). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Roth, J. L., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2003b). What exactly is a youth development program? Answers from research and practice. Applied Developmental Science, 7(2), 94–111.
Satir, V. (1964). Conjoint family therapy. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books.
Scales, P. C., Benson, P. L., Leffert, N., & Blyth, D. A. (2000). Contribution of developmental assets to the prediction of thriving among adolescents. Applied Developmental Science, 4(1), 27–46.
Scales, P. C., Benson, P. L., & Mannes, M. (2006). The contribution to adolescent well-being made by nonfamily adults: An examination of developmental assets as contexts and processes. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(4), 401–413.
Schulman, S., & Davies, T. (2007). Evidence of the impact of the ‘Youth development model’ on outcomes for young people – a literature review. Retrieved from http://blog.practicalparticipation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/V1-2-EVIDENCE-OF-THE-IMPACT-OF-THE-YOUTH-DEVELOPMENT-MODEL-ON-OUTCOMES-FOR-YOUNG-PEOPLE-%E2%80%93-A-LITERATURE-REVIEW.pdf
Shek, D. T. L. (1998a). A longitudinal study of Hong Kong adolescents’ and parents’ perceptions of family functioning and well-being. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 159(4), 389–403.
Shek, D. T. L. (1998b). A longitudinal study of the relationship between family functioning and adolescent psychological well-being. Journal of Youth Studies, 1(2), 195–209.
Shek, D. T. L. (2005). A longitudinal study of perceived family functioning and adolescent adjustment in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage. Journal of Family Issues, 26(4), 518–543.
Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Sexual behavior and intention to engage in sexual behavior in junior secondary school students in Hong Kong. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3S), S33–S41.
Shek, D. T. L., & Leung, J. (in press). Substance Abuse in Junior Secondary School Students in Hong Kong. In D. T. L. Shek, R. C. F. Sun & C. M. S. Ma (Eds.), Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong - Family life, psychological well-being and risk behavior. Singapore: Springer.
Shek, D. T. L., & Lin, L. (in press). Development of Delinquent Behavior in Early Adolescents in Hong Kong. In D. T. L. Shek, R. C. F. Sun & C. M. S. Ma (Eds.), Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong - Family life, psychological well-being and risk behavior. Singapore: Springer.
Shek, D. T. L., & Liu, T. T. (2014). Life satisfaction in junior secondary school students in Hong Kong: A 3-year longitudinal study. Social Indicators Research, 117(3), 777–794.
Shek, D. T. L., & Ma, C. M. S. (2012). Impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the junior secondary school years: Objective outcome evaluation based on eight waves of longitudinal data. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, Article ID 170345, 12 pages. doi:10.1100/2012/170345.
Shek, D. T. L., Ma, H. K., & Sun, R. C. F. (2011). A brief overview of adolescent developmental problems in Hong Kong. The Scientific World Journal, 11, 2243–2256. doi: 10.1100/2011/896835.
Shek, D. T. L., & Sun R. C. F. (Eds.) (2013a). Development and evaluation of positive adolescent training through holistic social programs (P.A.T.H.S.). Singapore: Springer Science Business Media.
Shek, D. T. L., & Sun, R. C. F. (2013b). The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: Development, training, implementation, and evaluation. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3), S2–S9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2013.03.009.
Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (2012). Longitudinal impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. on adolescent risk behavior: What happened after five years? The Scientific World Journal, 2012, Article ID 316029, 13 pages. doi:10.1100/2012/316029.
Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (in press). Intention to gamble amongst junior secondary school students In Hong Kong: Changes and predictors. In D. T. L. Shek, R. C. F. Sun, & C. M. S. Ma (Eds.), Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong – Family life, psychological well-being and risk behavior. Singapore: Springer.
Silbereisen, R. K., & Lerner, R. M. (2007). Approaches to positive youth development: A view of the issues. In R. K. Silbereisen & R. M. Lerner (ERds.), Approaches to positive youth development (pp. 3–30). Sage Publications Ltd.
Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2010). Life satisfaction, positive youth development and problem behavior among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 95(2), 455–474.
Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2012). Positive youth development, life satisfaction and problem behavior among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: A replication. Social Indicators Research, 105(3), 541–559.
Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Longitudinal influences of positive youth development and life satisfaction on problem behavior among adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 114(3), 1171–1197.
Sutphin, S. T., McDonough, S., & Schrenkel, A. (2013). The role of formal theory in social work research: Formalizing family systems theory. Advances in Social Work, 14(2), 501–517.
Swenson, R. R., & Prelow, H. M. (2005). Ethnic identity, self-esteem, and perceived efficacy as mediators of the relation of supportive parenting to psychosocial outcomes among urban adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 28(4), 465–477.
Tafà, M., & Baiocco, R. (2009). Addictive behavior and family functioning during adolescence. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 37(5), 388–395.
Theokas, C., Almerigi, J. B., Lerner, R. M., Dowling, E. M., Benson, P. L., Scales, P. C., & von Eye, A. (2005). Conceptualizing and modeling individual and ecological asset components of thriving in early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 25(1), 113–143.
Theokas, C., & Lerner R. M. (2005). Promoting positive youth development across variations in socioeconomic status: Framing the structural equation modeling approach within a developmental systems perspective. In V. L. Bengtson, A. C. Acock, K. R. Allen, P. Dilworth-Anderson, & D. M. Klein (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theory and research (pp. 488–492). Sage Publications, Inc.
Vesely, S. K., Wyatt, V. H., Oman, R. Y., Aspy, C. B., Kegler, M. C., Rodline, S., … & McLeroy, K. R. (2004). The potential protective effects of youth assets from adolescent sexual risk behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34(5), 356–365.
Walsh, F. (Ed.) (1993). Normal family processes. New York, The Guilford Press.
World Health Organization. (1997). Life skills education for children and adolescents in schools. Programme on Mental Health Organization. Geneva: WHO.
Young, M. E., Galvan, T., Reidy, B. L., Pescosolido, M. F., Kim, K. L., Seymour, K., & Dickstein, D. P. (2013). Family functioning deficits in bipolar disorder and ADHD in youth. Journal of Affective Disorders, 150(3), 1096–1102.
Youngblade, L. M., Theokas, C., Schulenberg, J., Curry, L., Huang, I. C., & Novak, M. (2007). Risk and promotive factors in families, schools, and communities: A contextual model of positive youth development in adolescence. Pediatrics, 119 (Suppl 1), S47–S53.
Yu, L., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Internet addiction in Hong Kong adolescents: A three-year longitudinal study. Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3S), S10–17. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2013.03.010.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shek, D.T.L. (2016). The Role of Positive Youth Development and Family Functioning in Chinese Adolescent Well-Being: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Evidence. In: Maggino, F. (eds) A Life Devoted to Quality of Life. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 60. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20568-7_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20568-7_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20567-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20568-7
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)