Conceptual framework underlying the development of a positive youth development program in Hong Kong

The conceptual framework governing the development of a positive youth development program in Hong Kong is outlined. Based on a thorough literature review on: a) risk factors, protective factors and adolescent resilience; b) adolescent developmental assets; c) deficits-based and assets-based models on adolescent development; d) models on positive youth development programs and e) ecological models, 15 positive youth development constructs covered in this project are presented. The following assertions are maintained in the present positive youth development program: ecological assertion, change assertion, holistic assertion, developmental assets assertion, risk factors assertion, protective factors assertion, positive youth development assertion, positive youth development constructs assertion, integration assertion, and evidence-based assertion.