Social Resources for Positive Psychosocial Health: Youths’ Narratives of a Street Dance Performing Arts Program

Abstract

This article explores and identifies the social processes underlying a 12-month youth street dance performing arts program, MINDJAM, in promoting positive psychosocial outcomes among young people in Hong Kong. We conducted in-depth interviews with 22 participants aged 13 to 18 years old who were MINDJAM participants. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Five emergent themes were identified, providing insights into the social mechanism bridging program participation and various positive psychosocial outcomes among youths. The positive psychological outcomes identified are: happiness, prosocial attitudes, and self-efficacy. These emergent findings are discussed as they relate to the program design of MINDJAM. Our study contributes to existing theory on social capital building and future youth interventions as we uncover the complex processes and mechanisms that translate street dance program into positive psychosocial outcomes.