NCJ Number
209615
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 85-95
Date Published
April 2005
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article presents a psychosocial conception of ego strengths in relation to adolescent involvement in adult-sponsored structured youth activities.
Abstract
Scholarly literature has inquired into adolescent involvement in adult-sponsored structured activities and positive or desirable outcomes in development. In this article, psychosocial theory and current writings in the field are reviewed to build a conceptualization for linking the study of ego strength with adolescent involvement in structured activities. The article begins with a description of Erikson’s conceptualization of ego strengths and speculations on what the eight ego strengths bring to adolescent involvement in structured activities. The study examined three forms of structured activities: extracurricular, volunteerism, and religious involvement in relation to ego strength in adolescence. The study sample consisted of 205 male and 312 female adolescents, ages 15-17 in grades 9 to 11. Preliminary analyses reveal areas of significance in respect to demographic variables of gender, age, and socioeconomic status with structured activities. Females were more likely to be involved in creative arts and boys in sports. Extracurricular activities of sports, student government, and belonging to an issues group, as well as engagement in volunteerism were related to several of the ego strengths. The findings indicate that gender should be included in research in this area. References