Activity Participation In Youth Research Articles

Beyond the Schoolyard: The Contributions of Parenting Logics, Financial Resources, and Social Institutions to the Social Class Gap in Structured Activity Participation.

We investigate cultural and structural sources of class differences in youth activity participation with interview, survey, and archival data. We find working- and middle-class parents overlap in parenting logics about participation, though differ in one respect: middle-class parents are concerned with customizing children's involvement in activities, while working-class parents are concerned with achieving safety and social mobility for children through participation. Second, because of financial constraints, working-class families rely on social institutions for participation opportunities, but few are available. Schools act as an equalizing institution by offering low-cost activities, allowing working-class children to resemble middle-class youth in school activities, but they remain disadvantaged in out-of-school activities. School influences are complex, however, as they also contribute to class differences by offering different activities to working- and middle-class youth. Findings raise questions about the extent to which differences in participation reflect class culture rather than the objective realities parents face.

Intensity of Participation in Organized Youth Activities During the High School Years: Longitudinal Associations With Adjustment

The goal of this study was to explore the longitudinal associations between youth activity participation and adjustment over the high school years by examining (a) correlations between participation and adjustment growth curves, and (b) bidirectional links between participation and adjustment from one year to the next. Participation was operationalized as the total number of hours spent in sports, performance and fine arts, and youth clubs over a school year. Indicators of adjustment included school grades, alcohol use, and depressive symptoms. Youth (n = 362; mean age = 13.38, SD = 0.42; 59% girls) were surveyed annually from grades 7 to 10 using questionnaires and phone interviews. Growth curve results revealed that: (a) sports were positively associated with alcohol use; (b) performance and fine arts were negatively linked to depressive symptoms, and (c) youth clubs were positively associated with school grades, and negatively linked to alcohol use and depressive symptoms. The bidirectional analyses revealed few significant links from one year to the next, with the exception of performance and fine arts and grades.

Physical activity participation in youth with surgically corrected congenital heart disease: Devising guidelines so Johnny can participate

While most youth with congenital heart disease have simple structural lesions and near-normal activity tolerance and functioning, youth with complex structural defects may be affected by significant morbidity. Efforts are being made to consider the impact of exercise and physical activity on quality of life. The benefits of physical activity are well documented; however, the levels of participation and self-efficacy for activity remain low, thus increasing the risk of obesity and cardiovascular morbidity. Rehabilitation is a novel and emerging area, and decisions regarding advocacy versus restriction of physical activity may pose a challenge for both cardiologists and nonspecialists. The present article outlines the rationale for physical activity recommendations in youth with surgically corrected congenital heart disease and the psychosocial determinants of participation. Clinical recommendations and future directions are proposed.