Engagement in a summer physical activity-based positive youth development program predicts improvement in life skills among youth from low-income families

Abstract

Physical activity-based positive youth development (PYD) programs integrate social, personal, and life skill lessons into recreation to facilitate growth and reduce health risk behaviors (Snyder, 2014). Evidence regarding the mechanisms of these changes is emerging. One potential mechanism is engagement, the degree to which youth find meaningful emotional and behavioral connections to the program. We examined whether engagement in a 20-day daytime summer physical activity-based PYD program for youth from low-income families predicted improved character (social conscience and personal values), caring, and reasoning skills (decision making, and critical thinking) over the course of the program. N = 298 youth (42% girls, 58% boys) aged 7–15 (M = 10.37 SD = 1.84) were surveyed on day 2 and 17 of the program. Youth self-reported social conscience, personal values, caring, decision-making, and critical thinking at both time points, and behavioral and emotional engagement at the conclusion of the program. Multiple regression was used to test whether engagement predicted change in each life skill variable. Greater behavioral engagement predicted increased social conscience (ß = .21, p = .02, R2 = .07) and decision-making (ß = .20, p = .02, R2 = .09) skills. Greater emotional engagement predicted improved personal values (ß = .22, p = .01, R2 = .10). Neither engagement measure predicted changes in caring or critical thinking (p > .05) skills. While the effects of engagement on life skills are small in magnitude, they show that even brief programs can support youth development if they are engaging to youth.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge support from the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture/Children, Youth, and Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects