What Shapes Adolescent Development in Singapore? Insights from the DREAMS Study

Prof Poon said that while findings from these early studies emphasise the importance of the early years in a child’s development, there is a second “window of opportunity” that is also crucial.

“These opportunities occur in conjunction with the physical and sexual maturation that we see in young people,” he said, adding that physical changes happen concurrently with changes in the brain.

“We see the physical changes, but we don’t always see the other aspects, the psychological and cognitive aspects.

DREAMS is a MOE-commissioned longitudinal study following ~9,000 adolescents from Secondary 1 (2023) to Secondary 4/5 (2026/2027), exploring educational choices, student experience, and adolescent development in Singapore. The project aims to inform policy and practice, by determining the predictors, processes and trajectories of successful adolescent development, well-being and educational pathways. 

DREAMS focuses on four key domains – Social (Social & relational contexts), Aspirational (School & career aspirations), Personal (Self-identity & agency) and Experiential (Mental health, wellbeing & lifestyle). DREAMS investigates the stability and change in patterns of these domains over time. Additionally, the influences of childhood, special education needs and financial disadvantage will be considered across 3 sub-study projects. In addition to student surveys and interviews, corresponding surveys and interview data from parents and teachers will be collected at regular intervals to provide a comprehensive and triangulated overview.  

For research & science:

DREAMS will generate new knowledge about adolescent development in Asia, offering insights unique to Singapore’s culture, education system, and family dynamics. By tracking students over time, the study can reveal what helps adolescents flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, and show how early factors predict later outcomes. These findings contribute valuable Asian perspectives to global developmental research. 

For schools & educators:

Results can guide schools in designing effective programs, targeting resources to support students, and strengthening social-emotional learning curricula. Teachers gain evidence to better nurture well-being and learning. 

For families & parents:

Parents can better understand how to holistically support their teens through stress, transitions, and pressures. 

For policy & community:

Findings can inform policies by agencies such as MOE and MSF to support youth mental health, inclusion, and future workforce readiness. DREAMS insights can also guide NGOs, youth organisations, and community groups in creating programs that build resilience, social connection, and equitable opportunities for young people.

Resources

Project website: DREAMS – DRivers, Enablers, and pathways of Adolescent developMent in Singapore

 Featured in the Press:

• New study on adolescent development in secondary schools aims to help teenagers | The Straits Times
• Teacher-parent partnership important in motivating secondary school students: NIE studies | The Straits Times
• Adolescent boys feel more supported by parents, compared with adolescent girls: NIE study | The Straits Times

Selected Talks:

• RPIC 2024: Keynote Address by Prof Kenneth Poon
• DREAMS Symposium 2025 – DREAMS

Selected Articles:

• Wong, Z. Y., Tan, S. H., Liem, G. A. D., Chan, M., Liu, W. C., Poon, K. K., Kang, T., Ng, S. C. (2025). Associations between parents’ and teachers’ autonomy support and the bifactor model of academic motivation: a short-term cross-lagged analysis. Educational Psychology, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2025.2529996 
• Liem, G. A. D., Wong, Z. Y., Chan, M., Chia Liu, W., Zainudin, N. I., Tan, S. H., Poon, K. K., Kang, T., & Ng, S. C. (2025). Perceived parental expectations and their role in academic and psychosocial functioning. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254251321444