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Social connection and psychological outcomes in a physical activity-based youth development setting
Sarah Ullrich-French1, Meghan H McDonough, Alan L Smith
1Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, 99164-1410, USA. sullrich@wsu.edu
Abstract:
It is believed that the social connections formed by participating in physical activity-based positive youth development (PYD) programs contributes to building personal and social assets. In this study, we examined how changes in social connection over a physical activity-based PYD program for low-income youth were associated with changes in psychological outcomes. Participants (N = 197) completed pre- and postprogram questionnaires assessing leader support, social competence, physical competence, and psychological outcomes (global self-worth, physical self-worth, attraction to physical activity, and hope). Social competence, physical competence, physical self-worth, and global self-worth increased significantly over the 4-week program. Changes in social connections predicted changes in psychological outcomes. Effect sizes were modest but suggest that social interventions hold potential to promote positive outcomes in underserved youth.
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