Groups, goals, and growth: How peer acceptance shapes student development in co-curricular activities
Gregory Arief D Liem1, Jennifer A Fredricks2
1National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
The British Journal of Educational Psychology
|March 7, 2025
Summary
Peer acceptance in school Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) boosts student motivation and development, primarily through mastery goals. This highlights the importance of positive peer relationships for overall student growth.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Sociology of Education
- Child Development
Background:
- Limited research exists on peer influence in Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) compared to classroom settings.
- This study addresses the gap by investigating peer acceptance within CCAs and its impact on student motivation and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between perceived peer acceptance in CCAs and changes in student outcomes.
- To investigate the mediating role of mastery and performance goals in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with 517 primary school students in Singapore.
- Data collected at two time points, 24-26 weeks apart, using surveys.
- Participants engaged in diverse CCAs: Physical Sports, Arts, Clubs, and Uniformed Groups.
Main Results:
- Early perceived peer acceptance in CCAs positively predicted changes in academic and non-academic outcomes.
- Mastery goals significantly mediated this relationship, fostering gains in school belonging, aspirations, engagement, lifelong learning, teamwork, and leadership.
- Performance goals were associated with leadership gains but minor declines in teamwork and lifelong learning.
Conclusions:
- Peer acceptance within CCAs is crucial for student development, acting through mastery goal orientation.
- Findings support the integration of supportive peer dynamics in CCAs to enhance holistic student outcomes.
- Implications for researchers and practitioners on leveraging peer relationships in extracurricular settings.
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