Human capital : survey development, adolescent perceptions and correlates

This study sought to investigate the saliency of Human Capital (HC), a set of six positive assets as contributors to the overall health, well-being and success of an adolescent population. Furthermore, given the mediating potential of individual attributes, this study also examined the role of gender, age and context. PURPOSE: Comparing the perceived human capital (HC), as a set of positive assets, among adolescents and the influence of educational experiences on the development of HC. Secondarily, this research investigated the predictive characteristics of individual characteristics such as gender, age, and context on perceived HC. METHODS: Focus groups & interviews were conducted with adolescents, teachers, and teacher educators to establish content validity and relevance to adolescents in the development of the HC survey. Repeated measures were used to test the reliability of the survey and exploratory factor analysis confirmed the presence of 6 factors including emotional, physical, intellectual, social, individual, and financial were identified as subscales of HC. Construct validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis and 1312 (Mage 15.6, 40% female) adolescents completed the HC survey. Hierarchical regression was run to identify predictors of HC and ANOVAs were run on total capital by age, gender, and ethnicity to compare means and interactions. RESULTS: Qualitative data from the interviews and focus groups were open coded, and teacher’s emergent themes were 1) Developing HC knowledge, 2) Supporting the big picture, 3) Human capital, and 4) Power of opportunity. Teachers and adolescents were very interested in the topic of HC. In hierarchical regression, the model was statistically significant F(5,903)=33.24, p<.000, R²=.155, Adjusted R²=.151. Based on structure coefficients, the best indicator of total HC described in the model was free lunch followed by gender. Age was also shown to be a predictor of total HC as total HC increased as adolescent ages advanced. Ethnicity was statistically significant demonstrating that Hispanic adolescents’ perceptions of HC were lower than all other ethnicities in total HC. CONCLUSION: Schools and communities have daily access to adolescents and the power to provide positive HC building experiences through opportunities before, during, and after school