Towards A Set Of Criteria For Designing Programmes For Healthy Adolescent Development In Youth Groups Within Churches In The Northeast Trinidad District (Netd) Of The Pentecostal Assemblies Of The West Indies (Pawi)

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine criteria that could be used in designing programmes for healthy adolescent development within religious settings. This study focussed on selected churches within a District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies in the island of Trinidad, West Indies. Although the value of applying the PYD framework to working with youth and adolescents in various settings continues to grow, research showed very little application within religious youth settings such as Christian youth groups, and particularly as a tool for engaging adolescents for their overall, healthy development. I used the Osmer Model which began with uncovering current practices and understanding that motivated practice and concluded with presenting the ideal situation, that included a biblical component. Representatives were drawn from 20 churches which participated in the study, and these included interviews conducted with 12 youth committees and 124 survey respondents. I evaluated the data around five key domains: (1) mission, vision, and objectives, (2)target group, (3) youth health, (4) relationships, and (5) programming. Findings suggested that while some practices within youth programmes contributed to youth development, overall, the full potential of these youth programmes to promote healthy development was significantly overlooked. These results were demonstrated both in the understanding of those responsible for developing the programme and the practices of committees and participants alike. Overall, the religious setting and the youth groups, in particular, provided participants with ideal opportunities for healthy development, but a lot needs to be done to transform them into places for promoting and supporting all-round development.

The purpose of this research was to determine criteria that could be used in designing programmes for healthy adolescent development within religious settings. This study focussed on selected churches within a District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies in the island of Trinidad, West Indies. Although the value of applying the PYD framework to working with youth and adolescents in various settings continues to grow, research showed very little application within religious youth settings such as Christian youth groups, and particularly as a tool for engaging adolescents for their overall, healthy development. I used the Osmer Model which began with uncovering current practices and understanding that motivated practice and concluded with presenting the ideal situation, that included a biblical component. Representatives were drawn from 20 churches which participated in the study, and these included interviews conducted with 12 youth committees and 124 survey respondents. I evaluated the data around five key domains: (1) mission, vision, and objectives, (2)target group, (3) youth health, (4) relationships, and (5) programming. Findings suggested that while some practices within youth programmes contributed to youth development, overall, the full potential of these youth programmes to promote healthy development was significantly overlooked. These results were demonstrated both in the understanding of those responsible for developing the programme and the practices of committees and participants alike. Overall, the religious setting and the youth groups, in particular, provided participants with ideal opportunities for healthy development, but a lot needs to be done to transform them into places for promoting and supporting all-round development.