International Commonwealth Youth Programme and Satisfaction of Youth Needs: Role of Youth Networks as a Mediating Variable – A Study of Commonwealth Countries

The correlational, descriptive design and case study is about the International Commonwealth Youth Programme and the satisfaction of youth needs. In particular, the role of youth networks as a mediating variable. The research problem is the commonwealth youth having challenges in satisfying their needs in relation to political, health, economic and social interests. The purpose of the study is to investigate the variables namely, the independent variable, the international commonwealth youth programme, the dependent variable the satisfaction of youth needs, the mediating variable youth networks. The other variables which include human resource capability, plat-forms, frameworks and youth groups are considered. There are related literature base on the variables that are highlighted previously. Therefore, a qualitative and a quantitative approach are selected for the research. The qualitative approach applied a purposive sampling through saturation with the telephone interview with open ended questions whereas the quantitative approach adopted a stratified random sampling with an online questionnaire and online survey with closed ended questions. The participants are members and administrative staff of the youth networks that implement the commonwealth youth programme. For data analysis with the quantitative approach, Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) adopted a correlation, descriptive and case study analysis for the variables which applied a Pearson’s Correlation analysis for instance. Whereas MAXQDA was applied for the analysis for the qualitative approach which adopted a descriptive and case study analysis which applied grounded theory analysis for instance. 990 participants with 330 participants for each of the three instruments from the population of 1,100 were selected from the various stratums which are evenly distributed to conduct the research. Participants with physical disabilities were not discriminated against or treated indifferently which allowed for their participation in the research study. However, mentally unstable persons were not included in the research study. The findings indicated that human resource capability and instituting of plat-forms affect, establishment of youth groups and youth networks contribute and creation of youth frameworks influence the satisfaction of youth needs. The findings were based on the quantitative statistical test conducted applying the 1 Sample T Test, 1 Sample Z Test, Bayesian 1 Way Repeated Measure ANOVA, Chi Square Test, Pearson’s Correlation, 1 Sample K-S test and 1 Way ANOVA. The qualitative test applied the grounded theory analysis, the thematic analysis approach and content analysis. ANOVA was used to test whether the differences between means of the various variables for the independent and depedent variables which were statistically significant and to test the hypotheses which resulted in the variables having a significant relationship with the satisfaction of youth needs. Pearson’s correlation was used to test the relation between the operational independent variables and the dependent variable which indicated positive correlations with P values of < 0.05 for the variables which contributed to the validity of the results. The findings have contributed to literature and have narrowed the gap between theory and practice since the results support the various theories and the findings contribute to practice based on the degree of implementation of the variables. However, there are some implications as a result of the various test applied which did not result in present values to indicate whether the findings can be rejected or accepted and the matrix rating scale was not applied in some instances to indicate degree of association. Nonetheless, the results have additional information to the industry field for practice and recommend areas of focus for future research.