More Than Just Keeping Busy: The Protective Effects of Organized Activity Participation on Violence and Substance Use Among Urban Youth

Abstract

Violence and substance use disproportionately affect African American youth in urban, disadvantaged communities. Expanding positive peer and adult connections is a mechanism by which organized activity participation may reduce risk of negative outcomes. We assessed if organized activity participation decreases the likelihood of later negative outcomes through expanding positive social connections using a parallel mediation model (Wave 1: N = 681; 50% female; M_age = 14.86 years; SD = 0.65). We found indirect effects from participation to cigarette use (b = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01) and violent behavior (b = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01) through positive peer connections. We did not find indirect effects through positive adult connections. This may be because of the notable influence of peers on negative outcomes during adolescence. Organized activities can help youth expand positive peer connections, which, in turn, reduces risk of later negative outcomes. Implications for prevention are discussed.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adolescent development; African Americans; Extracurricular activities; Peer group; Peer influence; Tobacco use; Youth alcohol consumption; Youth violence.

Figure 1:

Model of the proposed mechanism by which organized activity participation influences later violent behavior (a) and cigarette use (b). W1 corresponds to first year of high school, W2 the second and W4 the fourth. Paths include standardized estimates.