Abstract – Dr. Shannon Gadbois

Dr. Shannon Gadbois, Department of Psychology, Brandon University

Extracurricular activities involvement in Canadian youth: Benefits based on age, gender and type of activit

Abstract

Extra-curricular activities (ECAs) that are organized, regularly scheduled and voluntary (e.g., music lessons, volunteering, sports teams) are related to many positive outcomes for youth including higher physical and general self-esteem, a stronger sense of self-efficacy, reduced rates of delinquency and reduced aggression (e.g., Duda & Mtoumanis, 2005; Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Gadbois & Bowker, 2007; Larson et al., 2005). This presentation will examine preliminary findings of a three year longitudinal research project designed to examine the types of activities in which youth are engaged, the relationships between participation in ECAs and indices of positive youth development, and youths’ descriptions of their experiences in these activities.  A total of 1372 youth from southwestern Manitoba listed all of the ECAs in which they participated and their most engaging activities in year 1 of the study.  In year 2 of the study, approximately one year later, 502 of the original participants again listed the ECAs in which they participated, the activities in which they were most engaged, as well as measures of general and domain specific self-esteem, temperament, motivation for participation, and parental involvement.  Finally, in year 3 of the study, again approximately one year later, 51 youth participated in one-to-one interviews regarding their most engaging activity and the experiences they had within the activity.   This presentation will outline three categories of outcomes:  1) generally, with regard to the types of (and most engaging) activities in which this sample of Canadian youth participate; 2) specifically, with reference to the relationship between ECAs participation and positive youth outcomes like general and physical self-esteem; and 3) with respect to youths’ personal reflections on their opportunities to experience benefits including leadership, initiative, and skill development.