Outcomes of Community-Based Youth Empowerment Programs Adopting Design Thinking: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Purpose: Using a nonrandomized control group pretest–posttest assessment, this study aimed to examine the outcomes of community-based youth empowerment initiatives that were informed by design thinking. Method: A total of 553 youth living in Hong Kong were recruited to participate in this study. Among them, 213 youth self-selected to join the experimental group, and 340 youth joined the two control groups. Multivariate analysis of covariance and post hoc group comparisons were used to examine the differences among the three groups at the posttest assessment. Results: The results indicate a positive improvement in creative self-efficacy among participants of the experimental group compared to the two control groups. Significant differences were also found between the experimental group and the second control group in terms of youth–adult partnerships and youth empowerment in the community. Conclusion: Youth empowerment programs informed by design thinking may reinforce self-efficacy beliefs by encouraging youth to bring about innovations in their community.