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. 2010 Jun;20(2):307-333.
doi: 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00627.x. Epub 2010 Mar 2.

Breadth of Extracurricular Participation and Adolescent Adjustment Among African-American and European-American Youth

Jennifer A Fredricks  1 , Jacquelynne S Eccles
Affiliations

Breadth of Extracurricular Participation and Adolescent Adjustment Among African-American and European-American Youth

Jennifer A Fredricks et al. J Res Adolesc. 2010 Jun.

Abstract

We examined the linear and nonlinear relations between breadth of extracurricular participation in 11th grade and developmental outcomes at 11th grade and 1 year after high school in an economically diverse sample of African-American and European-American youth. In general, controlling for demographic factors, children's motivation, and the dependent variable measured 3 years earlier, breadth was positively associated with indicators of academic adjustment at 11th grade and at 1 year after high school. In addition, for the three academic outcomes (i.e., grades, educational expectations, and educational status) the nonlinear function was significant; at high levels of involvement the well-being of youth leveled off or declined slightly. In addition, breadth of participation at 11th grade predicted lower internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior, alcohol use, and marijuana use at 11th grade. Finally, the total number of extracurricular activities at 11th grade was associated with civic engagement 2 years later.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Total number of organized activities and grades—11th grade.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Total number of organized activities and educational expectations—11th grade.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Total number of organized activities and educational status—1 year after high school.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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