An influence among influences: The perceived influence contribution scale development and use.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Program Evaluation
• Youth Development

Background:

• Youth programs aim to understand long-term participant outcomes.
• Assessing program influence requires distinguishing it from other youth development factors.
• Existing research on youth influences provides a foundation for measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To offer a methodology for measuring a participant's perceived program contribution.
• To differentiate program influence from other significant youth influences (family, school, peers, etc.).
• To develop and validate a reliable scale for assessing these influences over time.

Main Methods:

• Instrument development based on existing youth influence literature.
• Face validity, content assessment by a research panel, and principal component analysis.
• Pilot testing with older teens in intensive summer programs and implementation in a summer research experience.

Main Results:

• A 19-item, 6-factor scale was finalized: family & religion; interests organized by others; adult responsibilities; school; arts; and interests organized by self.
• Scale implementation showed stable and high relative contribution to participants' academic and career decision-making.
• The scale demonstrated responsiveness to changes in influences while maintaining temporal stability.

Conclusions:

• The developed scale effectively measures perceived program contribution among multiple youth influences.
• The instrument provides a reliable tool for longitudinal evaluation of youth programs.
• Findings support the significant and stable impact of intensive programs on adolescent decision-making.