Development to Construction Model of  Life Competencies based on Identity in the 21st-Century Youths of Nang Lae Sub-district, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province

Tongrak Jitbantao* and Nawin Promjisa

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to study life competencies based on different identities of 21st-century youths; to construct a training group for developing life competencies based on different identities of 21st-century youths; and to compare them before, after and during the follow-up period. The informants included young leaders from the Youth and Children Council, guardians, the community leader, personnel in the academic field, and public and private agencies associated with the youths in Nang Lae sub-district, Muang district, Chiang Rai province. The samples consisted of 769 youths divided into 2 groups, obtained using multistage random sampling and purposive sampling. The data collection was conducted using documents, group discussions, observation, and surveys with a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, including calculation of percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test. It has been found that: 1) The model of life competencies based on the identity of 21st-century youths consisted of two “key” elements which are (1) personal identities, such as diligence, ability to adapt, curiosity and public consciousness, and (2) social identity, such as language, culture, and traditions; 2) The life competency development training group for 21st-century youths was based on Nelson-Jones’ concept, in which there were three operational stages: initial stage, working stage and ending stage. The overall life competency level based on different identities of 21st-century youths is high (mean = 3.59, S.D. = 0.35). Both overall and identity-based life competencies during the follow-up period are also higher than the pre-training scores, with statistical significance at a level of .05.