Secrets of their success: Activity Participation and Positive Youth Development

Barber, B.L., Abbott, B.D., Blomfield, C.J. and Eccles, J.S. (2009) Secrets of their success: Activity Participation and Positive Youth Development. In: Gilman, R., Huebner, E.S. and Furlong, M.J., (eds.) Handbook of Positive Psychology in Schools. Taylor and Francis, New York, pp. 273-289.

Abstract

When adolescents are asked about how they use their leisure time, most report some involvement in organized structured activities-sports, performing arts, clubs, service activities and church youth groups. For example, 70% of students in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health reported participating in at least one school-based activity (Feldman & Matjasko, 2005). Sports are the most commonly reported activities, followed by performing arts (Eccles, & Barber, 1999; Feldman & Matjasko, 2007; Zill, Nord, & Loomis, 1995). Voluntary community service is also reported by between one-third and one-half of all youth (Metz, McLellan, & Youniss, 2003; Youniss et al., 2002). Girls tend to participate in more types of activities, whereas boys are most likely to play sports (Eccles & Barber, 1999; Feldman & Matjasko, 2007; Mahoney & Cairns, 1997). Given the prevalence of extracurricular activities in the daily lives of youth, it is important to understand their role in successful development and healthy adjustment.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Psychology
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
Copyright:	Taylor and Francis
Publisher's Website:	http://www.routledge.com/books/details/97808058636...
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/22245

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