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Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community

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Youth Motivations for Program Participation.

Jenifer K McGuire¹, Jodi Dworkin¹, Lynne M Borden¹

¹Department of Family Social Science University of Minnesota.

Journal of Youth Development : Bridging Research and Practice

|July 13, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Youth join programs for skill development but may leave due to different reasons. Motivations for staying in youth programs differ from reasons for joining or quitting.

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Area of Science:

Youth Development
Sociology of Youth Programs

Background:

Youth programs offer valuable opportunities for skill-building and personal growth.
Understanding youth motivations for program participation, non-participation, and attrition is crucial for program effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the characteristics and motivations behind youth participation in, non-participation in, and attrition from youth programs.
To identify demographic variations in reasons for engagement and disengagement with youth programs.

Main Methods:

An online survey was administered to 214 youth aged 10-19.
Participants reported on characteristics of programs they currently participate in, have never participated in, or have quit.

Main Results:

Youth primarily join activities offering personal benefits and skill development.
Motivations for program attrition or non-participation may differ from reasons for continued engagement.
Demographic differences emerged: males reported more issues with past activities; sexual minority youth cited social problems; ethnic minorities experienced less support and faced logistical barriers.

Conclusions:

Program engagement is complex, with distinct factors influencing joining, staying, and leaving.
Tailoring program design and support to address demographic-specific needs and barriers is essential for sustained youth involvement.