Using Chinese and Western literature in a digital game to enhance core competencies for peer and romantic relationships among adolescents

Research supports that evidence-based positive youth development (PYD) programs assist adolescents in dealing with developmental problems. One major adolescent issue is relationship, particularly friendship and courtship. Deterioration in bonding with parents and inadequate support from psycho-socially mature adults are commonly found in urban cities around the world. High divorce rate is an indicator. Many adolescents grow up in families with insecurity, lacking proper social and emotional support. The lack of appropriate role models and parental guidance are risk factors for adolescents having troubles in their peer and romantic relationships (PRR). A digital positive youth development (DPYD) game with an aim to enhance the core competencies of adolescents in building and maintaining PRR, which incorporates literature as learning materials, has been developed and made available for free educational use. The game employs both Chinese and Western literature in a bilingual context to provide examples to engross the players' attention and facilitate their understanding of the concepts through stories and practice tasks. Not only does it help promote proper attitude and enhance necessary knowledge and skills, but it also helps foster players' self-awareness and self-reflection through literary references. This paper contributes to cross-disciplinary methodology in using literature in the design and development of DPYD games, as well as providing a significant reflection on the nature and function of literature and its importance in promoting PYD among adolescents.