Predictors of subjective outcome evaluation findings in a positive youth development program in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study attempted to examine correlates of subjective outcome evaluation findings amongst Chinese junior secondary students from 216 schools who joined in a positive youth development program in Hong Kong. With individual students as the unit of analysis, results revealed that three factors (perceived program quality, perceived instructor quality, and perceived effectiveness) were extracted from a 36-item client satisfaction scale. Significant grade differences in the subjective outcome evaluation findings were found, although the effect size was small. Multiple regression analyses revealed that perceived qualities of the program and the program implementers positively predicted perceived effectiveness of the program. The findings suggest that the use of schools vs. individuals as units of analyses would yield different results on the determinants of subjective outcome evaluation.