Positive youth development in Māori and New Zealand European adolescents through an adventure education programme

Abstract

Within Aotearoa New Zealand there is growing interest in positive youth development (PYD). A PYD approach provides balance to narratives surrounding outcomes for youth and broadens our views of what we consider beneficial developmental outcomes. In the current study we used sail training as a method to promote PYD in Māori and New Zealand European adolescents. Specifically, 54 Māori and 37 New Zealand European adolescents completed the 7-day youth-development voyage on-board the gaffed rigged schooner, R. Tucker Thompson. We demonstrate that, for both Māori and New Zealand European adolescents, psychological resilience, self-esteem, and positive outlook on life increased from the first day to the last day of the voyage. In addition, we demonstrate that the increases in psychological resilience were driven by the social/collective identity adolescents formed with their group over the course of the voyage. ARTICLE HISTORY

The Five Cs of Positive Youth Development in an Aotearoa/New Zealand Program Context

“…This is consistent with other Five Cs studies that have demonstrated young people in PYD programs experienced growth in all Five Cs as well as contributing towards their communities (Fuller, et al, 2013;Lerner & Lerner, 2013). Further, the findings align with local studies of PYD programs, which, although not using the Five Cs, identify related outcomes of social self-efficacy, resilience, sense of community and self-esteem (Deane & Harré, 2014;Furness, Williams, Veale, & Gardner, 2017;Grocott & Hunter, 2009), and experiences of connection and belonging (Arahanga-Doyle et al, 2018;Hunter et al, 2013).…”

“…Belonging to a group on the voyage was also seen to be a predictor of self-esteem (Scarf et al, 2018). A further study looking at outcomes for Māori and New Zealand European youth on a 7day voyage showed outcomes of self-esteem, resilience and positive outlook at the end of the voyage, and that the latter two were positively impacted by a sense of social/collective identity (Arahanga-Doyle et al, 2018).…”

“…The Ministry of Youth Development works with government, business, and youth organizations to deliver well-being outcomes for youth; it funds some youth development programs and supports youth involvement in decision making (Ministry of Youth Development, n.d.). Whilst there is valid critique of utilizing Western-based models in a bicultural nation with an ethnically diverse population (Beals, 2015;Cosgriff et al, 2012;Keelan, 2014), a PYD approach and the Five Cs model are seen by some to dovetail with Māori approaches in their holistic and strengths-based philosophies (Arahanga-Doyle et al, 2018;Harré, 2014). However, Arahanga-Doyle et al (2018) suggest that the Five Cs model sees the individualized construct of confidence as key to identity, whilst indigenous approaches may see connection as key.…”

“…Programs can also occur in community, school or institutional settings. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of PYD programs in Aotearoa/New Zealand (See Arahanga-Doyle et al, 2018;Bullen, Noonan & Farruggia, 2012;Deane & Harré, 2014;Farruggia et al, 2011;Grocott & Hunter, 2009;Hayhurst, Hunter, Kafka, & Boyes, 2015;Hunter et al, 2013).…”

“…To the authors' knowledge, no studies have used the Five Cs as an evaluation tool in Aotearoa/New Zealand, either qualitatively or quantitatively. However, as noted above, Arahanga-Doyle et al (2018) cite links between the Five Cs and indigenous approaches with caution, while Deane, Harré, Moore and Courtney (2016) relate self-efficacy to the Cs of confidence and competence. In these studies, elements related to the C of connection, such as relationships with mentors, belonging and a sense of collective identity were identified as processes which contributed to other outcomes, rather than outcomes themselves.…”