Residential education as an alternative for promoting psychosocial and behavioral outcomes among high-risk young Macanese males

Residential education which integrates both home and school life aims to help youth who are socially or economically disadvantaged. Using Macanese school samples, the study analyzes the demographic background, personal characteristics, and behavioral problems of current and graduate boarding students, together with a control group of students from an ordinary school. A sample of 246 male students (69 current boarders, 37 boarding graduates, and 140 controls) was subjected to statistical analysis. Descriptive analyses and logistic regressions were conducted to explore the risk profile of boarding students relative to control students, who are from an ordinary school, and to identify the protective factors that associate with positive transitions. The results indicate that the boarding students commonly had problematic family backgrounds and showed higher rates of behavioral problems than the control students. Contrary to our expectations, boarding students reported higher levels of school commitment and self-efficacy. The regression results indicate that being a boarding student is associated with higher peer attachment and greater self-efficacy. In addition, boarding graduates reported less involvement in violent crime and maintained high self-efficacy and school commitment after leaving residential education. Adolescents receiving residential education exhibited low incidence of behavioral problems and possessed essential coping capabilities to minimize negative life events. Our findings suggest that residential education may be a promising means to alleviate psychosocial and behavioral maladjustment and to promote positive change among high-risk youth.