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Activity Involvement as an Ecological Asset: Profiles of Participation and Youth Outcomes

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Abstract

Prior research has demonstrated that participation in out-of-school time activities is associated with positive and healthy development among adolescents. However, fewer studies have examined how trajectories of participation across multiple activities can impact developmental outcomes. Using data from Wave 3 (approximately Grade 7) through Wave 8 (approximately Grade 12) of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, this study examined patterns of breadth in out-of-school time participation in activities and associated outcomes in positive youth development (PYD), Contribution to self and community, risk behaviors, and depressive symptoms. We assessed 927 students (on average across waves, 65.4 % female) from a relatively racially and ethnically homogeneous sample (about 74 % European American, across waves) with a mean age in Wave 3 of 12.98 years (SD = 0.52). The results indicated that high likelihood of participation in activities was consistently associated with fewer negative outcomes and higher scores on PYD and Contribution, as compared to low likelihood of participation in activities. Changes in the breadth of participation (in particular, moving from a high to a low likelihood of participation) were associated with increased substance use, depressive symptoms, and risk behaviors. Limitations of the current study, implications for future research, and applications to youth programs are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by Grants from the National 4-H Council, the Altria Corporation, the Thrive Foundation for Youth, and the John Templeton Foundation.

Author contributions

Jennifer P. Agans conceived of the study, conducted statistical analyses, and drafted the manuscript; Robey B. Champine conceived of the study, assisted with recoding the data for analysis, assisted with drafting the manuscript, and developed the reference list; Lisette M. DeSouza conceived of the study and assisted with manuscript draft; Megan Kiely Mueller conceived of the study, assisted with conducting the data analysis, and assisted with drafting the manuscript; Sara Kassie Johnson assisted with conducting the data analysis and assisted with editing the manuscript; Richard M. Lerner directed the study in which the data were collected, and assisted with drafting and revising the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA

    Jennifer P. Agans, Robey B. Champine, Lisette M. DeSouza, Sara Kassie Johnson & Richard M. Lerner

  2. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA

    Megan Kiely Mueller

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  1. Jennifer P. Agans
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Correspondence to Richard M. Lerner.

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Agans, J.P., Champine, R.B., DeSouza, L.M. et al. Activity Involvement as an Ecological Asset: Profiles of Participation and Youth Outcomes. J Youth Adolescence 43, 919–932 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0091-1

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