Adolescents' Accounts of Growth Experiences in Youth Activities

• NCJ Number: 199141
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 17-26
• Author(s): Jodi B. Dworkin; Reed Larson; David Hansen
• Editor(s): Daniel Offer
• Date Published: February 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This article reports on the results of a focus group study in which adolescents discussed their growth experiences while participating in extracurricular and community-based activities.

Abstract

In this article it is reported that adolescents, who participated in the focus groups for this study, described themselves as the agents of their own development and change, with youth activities being central to providing this active growth process. Interpersonal experiences such as obtaining new peer relationships and knowledge, developing group social skills such as taking responsibility, and working together as a team, and developing valuable connections with adults were identified by the focus group participants as being valuable for interpersonal growth and development. Experimentation; identity work; initiative skills, such as setting goals and managing time; learning strategies for emotional self-control development; learning emotional competencies; developing social skills; and acquiring social capital were those they deemed most important for personal development. This study was undertaken to better understand how youth experienced these six particular types of growth experience in their own words based on their unique personal observations. The authors reviewed past research and literature concerning the developmental process of adolescents and the value of youth activities as a part of internal, social, and interpersonal processes. The methods, procedures, and data analysis used in this study are described, with a sample of 55 adolescents in 10 focus groups in a Midwestern town being asked questions in a "rolling interview" format. Open and axial coding were used in analyzing the data. In summary, it is noted that there is further research needed on the developmental processes for adolescents involved in youth activities. A list of references is included.