Publication year
2014
Citation Title
Activity involvement as an ecological asset: Profiles of participation and youth outcomes.
Journal Name
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
Journal Volume
43
Issue Number
NULL
Page Numbers
919-932
DOI
10.1007/210964-014-0091-1
Summary
The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between participation in youth programs, positive youth development, and risk behaviors. Results indicated a link between positive youth outcomes and participation in out-of-school activities.
Key Findings
Participants who participated in out-of-school activities had higher scores on measures of positive youth development (e.g., confidence, competence, character).
Participation in several activities was consistently associated with positive youth development but was inconsistently linked to reducing problem and risk behaviors such as substance use.
Adolescents who went from high levels of participation when they were younger to low levels of participation when they were older were more likely to be involved in at-risk behaviors.
Implications for Military Professionals
Encourage adolescents to participate in out-of-school activities, especially in high school
Partner with military parents to help emphasize the importance of out-of-school activities and positive youth development
Implications for Program Leaders
Collaborate with community organizations to offer additional out-of-school activities to military-connected youth
Host workshops for military parents to learn about what they can do in the home to promote positive youth development
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend that professionals who work with military families increase out-of-school programs on installations
Support the dissemination of materials that provide professionals who work with military-connected youth education on positive youth development
Methods
Data were gathered from participants who were part of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development.
For this study, data were obtained annually from 7th to 12th grades.
Data from the first two time points were gathered in person; subsequent data collections were completed online.
Participants
Participants were 927 middle and high school students.
Average age of the participants varied by time point; in 7th grade it was 13 years (SD = 0.51) and in 12th grade it was 18 years (SD = 0.83).
The majority of the sample was female (63%) and White (65%).
Limitations
The design of the study is cross-sectional and therefore no conclusions about causality between positive youth development and participation in activities can be made.
There were no analyses to determine if there were differences between data that were collected in person as opposed to online that could have influenced the results.
There were no data indicating if the youth who discontinued the study were any different than those who participated in the entire study.
Avenues for Future Research
Apply qualitative research methods to examine adolescents’ motivations related to participation or lack of participation in activities
Explore differential rates of out-of-school activity participation based on personality variables (e.g., motivation, work ethic, etc.)
Explore the impact of out-of-school activity participation on outcomes in adulthood.
Focus
Civilian
Target Population
Population Focus
Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between participation in youth programs, positive youth development, and risk behaviors. Results indicated a link between positive youth outcomes and participation in out-of-school activities.
Abstract Document
PRTW Document
Attach