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. 2019 Nov 8;19(1):1480.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7843-5.

Study protocol for a 2-year longitudinal study of positive youth development at an urban sport for development facility

Marika Warner  1 , Gillian White  2 , Jackie Robinson  3 , John Cairney  2 , Jessica Fraser-Thomas  4
Affiliations

Study protocol for a 2-year longitudinal study of positive youth development at an urban sport for development facility

Marika Warner et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Youth facing barriers created by social marginalization are at a greater risk of adverse health outcomes, lower educational and occupational attainment, and decreased overall quality of life as adults. The negative psychosocial and physiological consequences of significant barriers to positive development during youth may be mitigated by interventions promoting physical activity, psychosocial development, and healthy behaviours. Sport for Development programming is a possible opportunity for youth facing barriers to engage in activities that foster positive youth development, which may improve socioeconomic outcomes, quality of life and long-term health status in this population. This paper outlines the study protocol measuring impact of an urban Sport for Development facility on positive youth development in youth facing barriers.

Methods/design: Participants aged 6-29 will be recruited from programs at an urban Sport for Development facility to a 2-year prospective longitudinal mixed-methods study. Participants will be stratified by age into three cohorts with age-specific outcomes. Age-specific positive youth development outcomes will be assessed quantitatively by self-report and pedometer at baseline and after 6 months, 1-year, and 2-years of program participation. Focus groups will provide data regarding youth experience and the impact of facility and program components on youth outcomes.

Discussion: Our findings will inform best-practice and feasibility of a Sport for Development facility delivering programs in a socially and economically challenged urban setting in a high-income country.

Trial registration: ISRCTN67016999. Date of registration: October 22, 2019.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Sport for development - positive youth development - youth sport.

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Conflict of interest statement

MW, GW and JR receive salaries from MLSE LaunchPad as research staff. It is possible that MLSE LaunchPad may in some way gain or lose financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future. MW, GW, JR, JC and JFT have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The MLSE LaunchPad Theory of Change illustrates the expected outcomes of programs for the different age groups of participants in the short- and long-term, and potential pathways for participants to follow. Supportive resources available to participants at the facility in addition to programs are indicated; additional resources may be added throughout the study duration and will be described in future publications as required. The respective cohorts are represented by age group with expected geographical catchment area and resource allocation indicated. The type of programming expected to produce the intended outcomes for each cohort are listed. This Theory of Change is expected to present a possible evidence-based model for collaboration and innovation in the youth development sector
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