堅毅理論之跨文化比較：青少年攻擊行為、物質使用及心理困擾之研究(II)

Not all individuals experiencing adversities will necessarily develop detrimental outcomes. The resilience theory emphasizes a strength model instead of a problem-orientated approach by drawing attention to the promotive assets (individual level factors) or multi-level resources that can protect adolescents from negative outcomes when they encounter risks. Current research in Taiwan lacks such framework to guide the prevention and intervention efforts that focus on adolescents’ positive capabilities and resources. This project aims to build the resilience model among Taiwanese adolescents by investigating the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the promotive factors and problem behaviors (aggression, substance use, mental distress) while considering risk factors. In addition, the project will conduct cross-culture comparisons on the resilience models between the Taiwanese and U.S. adolescents. This project aims to build the resilience model among Taiwanese adolescents by investigating the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the promotive factors and problem behaviors (aggression, substance use, mental distress) while considering risk factors. In addition, the project will conduct cross-culture comparisons on the resilience models between the Taiwanese and U.S. adolescents. The age range of the study sample and the survey time points are comparable with those in the Flint Adolescents Study (FAS), which is a well-known longitudinal study on adolescent resilience in the U.S., so cross-culture comparisons can be carried out. The project involves longitudinal measures of risks and promotive factors at multiple levels (including individual, familial, peer and community levels) as well as three negative outcomes, namely aggression, substance use, and mental distress. We hypothesize that promotive factors will have compensatory and protective effects to counteract the impacts of risk factors on the negative outcomes. Multilevel analysis with or without the interaction terms between promotive and risk factors will be used to test the compensatory and protective effects of promotive factors. Structural equation models will be used to test the developmental cascade effects. Measurement invariance and structure invariance will also be examined before cross-culture comparisons. The results will have important implications for future prevention and intervention work in Taiwan. Based on the findings of the proposed study, the research team can develop a youth empowerment program tailored to the needs of disadvantaged adolescents in Taiwan. This program will hopefully promote positive development (e.g., building leadership skills) as an effective way to prevent violence, substance use, and mental health problems among youth.