Quantitative Research

Powerful Teen Survey

Lead Researcher: Dr. Roger Tweed

A three-wave longitudinal study of about 400 Grade 8 students and 200 at-risk youth is being 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 assessed with partial results to be made public shortly. Wave three of the study will be conducted in 2012. The study uses survey questionnaires completed by youth, their teachers, and their parents. These surveys include standardized measurements to identify personal character strengths, social connections and cognitive reasons that protect youth from involvement in gang-related behaviours and promote positive behaviour. The longitudinal follow-up of these youth will provide strong evidence of assets that are predictive and possibly even causal in protecting youth from gang-related behaviours.

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 Sharon Cohen, Theresa Campbell, Kathryn Peterson, and Jeanette Mitchell.

Strong Kid Study

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.