Case For Support
Written By Morgan Macklin

By: Morgan Macklin

HEROES 2:

A Program Evaluation Based on Behaviour Change and Positive

Youth Development Literature

Kelsey Saizew, Guilherme H. Costa, Dr. Luc Martin, & Dr. Jean Côté

Queen’s University

introduction

Impact Society developed the HEROES 2 program as a tool to enhance students' social-emotional skills while generating a greater sense of community. This stands among a suite of programs that Impact Society has been rolling out since 1994 in its pursuit of developing resilient youth. To further validate the effectiveness of the HEROES 2 program, researchers from Queen’s University wrote a program evaluation based on behavior change and positive youth development. This white paper determined that HEROES 2 demonstrates a strong alignment with the principles of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and the COM-B model for behavior change. 

researchers behind the study

The researchers behind the white paper are renowned experts in their respective fields with extensive knowledge and experience in youth development, psychology, and program evaluation. The major contributors are:

  • Jean is a distinguished professor and researcher in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University, with a specialization in sport psychology and youth development. His work has significantly contributed to understanding the role of sports and physical activity in fostering positive youth development. 

  • Luc is an associate professor at the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University, whose research focuses on sport participation, social influences on motivation, and youth development in various settings. Both Dr. Côté and Dr. Martin have collaborated on numerous studies, exploring the potential of sports and physical activity to promote well-being and personal growth in young people.

  • Kelsey was the lead researcher on the white paper and holds a Master's degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies, with expertise in sport psychology, youth development, and program evaluation. Kelsey's background, combined with the mentorship and guidance from Dr. Côté and Dr. Martin, has enabled her to effectively assess the HEROES 2 program and provide valuable insights into its impact on youth development.

white paper:

key areas of focus

positive youth development (pyd) alignment

PYD focuses on a strength-based approach that fosters empowerment in youth which typically relies on 3 factors:  

  1. The environment is developmentally appropriate and can respond to changing needs

  2. Relationships with competent and knowledgeable adults

  3. Emphasis on assets that drive youth to be contributing members of society

The HEROES 2 program adheres to PYD principles by offering diverse experiences and opportunities for reflection, experiential learning, and teamwork. This program builds skillsets in a way that allows application to real-world experiences. As mentioned in the white paper:

“Several activities grant the students a considerable degree of autonomy to 'personalize' activities according to their level of comfort and ability.”

Furthermore, with social environment being a key factor in youth development, Impact Society makes this a top priority in the rollout of all programs. HEROES2 educators are trained to engage with youth in a meaningful process that fosters an environment for students to thrive. This training provides a quality teacher-student relationship and a strength-focused atmosphere which overall, creates an environment conducive to PYD. 

com-b model alignment

The COM-B Model of Behavior alludes to the fact that behavior is influenced by three factors:

  1. Capability: physical and psychological ability to engage in a certain behavior

  2. Opportunity: the awareness of the physical and social environment that impacts the performance of a behavior 

  3. Motivation: processes, habits, responses, and decision-making that affect and direct behavior 

HEROES 2 utilizes a diverse set of Behavior Change Techniques (BCTs) by reinforcing specific behaviors and accommodating various learning preferences. A BCT involves interventions such as education, environmental restructuring, and enablement. When it comes to HEROES2 alignment with the COM-B model,  the white paper states

"The program [HEREOS 2] efficiently employs BCT to provide youth with the greatest likelihood of engaging in desired behaviors."

This proves that the delivery of HEROES2 is effective in promoting long-term conviction that is sparked by a behavior change within the classroom. The program is exceptional in its depth, breadth, and alignment with the prevailing theories in COM-B. However, to build upon this strong foundation, the white paper suggests areas of improvement to enhance its effectiveness which can be further evaluated in the full report. 

closing

The evaluations from the white paper indicate that the HEROES 2 program aligns with general PYD literature as well as the COM-B model. It is proven that interventions are enhanced when guided by well-established theoretical frameworks, so, it is expected that students who engage with HEROES 2 are likely to have important developmental experiences. This learning provides youth the opportunity to acquire healthy behaviors and social qualities that can enhance well-being and situate them as agents of social change in their communities.

get started with heroes 2

If the results of this study awaken a desire to empower and enhance the well-being of youth, check out out the link below! It’s never too early to start planning for the upcoming school year and we can confidently say that the impact of this program is not something you want to miss out on. Learn more about how Impact Society can bridge the gap between students and a prosperous future through our Heroes programs.

Morgan Macklin
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