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External Assets as Predictors of Positive Emotions Among At‐Risk Youth in Malaysia
Author(s) -
Abdul Kadir Nor Ba'yah,
Rahim Samsudin A.,
Mustapha Zaidah,
Abdul Mutalib Mimi Hanida,
Kee Chang Peng,
Mohamed Rusyda Helma
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
asian social work and policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.286
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1753-1411
pISSN - 1753-1403
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-1411.2012.00071.x
Subject(s) - psychology , kuala lumpur , social support , social psychology , developmental psychology , business , marketing
The present study is among the first to examine external assets as predictors of positive emotions among at‐risk youth. The study aims to examine the associations of external assets with positive emotions, determine external assets as a predictor of positive emotions in phase 1, and see if these predictors were consistently established in phase 2. At first contact, 403 participants from low‐income apartments in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, aged 13–25 years were asked to complete the 25 Developmental Assets, Malaysian version. The participants were also invited to participate in social activities organized by the PERMATA community. The same participants were approached four months later to examine the stability of measures. Multiple regression analysis revealed support is the most significant predictor of positive emotions at phase 1 whilst positive peer influence, family boundaries and caring neighborhood are the significant predictors at phase 2. Results suggested that the presence of other external assets can enhance the positive development of at‐risk youth, however, the support must be present to some extent in the first place.