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Powerful Teens Survey
Lead Researcher: Dr. Roger Tweed
A two-wave longitudinal study of about 421 Grade 8 students has been conducted in partnership with the Surrey School District. Data collected in wave one and two of the study, completed respectively in October 2010 and June 2011, are being analyzed with results being disseminated in both academic and popular media as they become available.
The study used survey questionnaires completed by youth, their teachers, and their parents. These surveys included 22 standardized measurements to identify personal character strengths, social connections and cognitive reasons that protect youth from negative influences and violence and promote positive behaviour. The longitudinal follow-up of these youth provide evidence of factors that are predictive and possibly even causal in protecting youth from violence and gang-involvement.
This part of the research is made possible by the collaboration of the Surrey School District including the principals, teachers, students and their parents. A special thank you to Jordan Tinney, Sharon Cohen, Theresa Campbell, Kathryn Peterson, and Jeanette Mitchell.
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Reasons Not To Commit Crimes
Lead Researcher: Dr. Roger Tweed
A cross-sectional survey of about 700 university students that examines character strengths and reasons not to commit crimes has been conducted. This study builds upon two prior studies that examined the factor structure of reasons not to commit crimes and also examined how these reasons relate to character strengths among young adults.
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Youth Power Project: Strengths in At-Risk Youth
Lead Researchers: Dr. Jodi Viljoen and Dr. Kevin S. Douglas
Project Manager: Michelle Collins
The aim of the study is to examine character strengths, social connections, and cognitive beliefs of at-risk youth participants. Using over 30 different questionnaire and an in-depth personal interviews, the focus will be on identifying strengths that likely protect at-risk youth from offending. This study is being conducted in collaboration with partner Pacific Community Resources Services (PCRS).