Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
13.4K
AFTERSCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS, RACIAL-ETHNIC IDENTITY, AFFIRMATION, AND PROBLEM BEHAVIORS
Danielle A Augustine1, Emilie P Smith2, Dawn P Witherspoon3
1University of Georgia.
Journal of Youth Development : Bridging Research and Practice
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Afterschool programs can reduce problem behaviors in African American children by fostering a positive racial-ethnic identity. Feeling connected to staff and peers in these programs promotes identity affirmation, leading to fewer behavioral issues.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Afterschool programs can support positive youth development (PYD) and reduce problem behaviors in African American children.
- Fostering an affirming racial-ethnic identity is a potential mechanism through which afterschool programs influence behavior.
- Little is known about how afterschool settings cultivate identity and subsequently reduce problem behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between afterschool connectedness, racial-ethnic identity affirmation, and problem behaviors among African American children.
- To examine if racial-ethnic affirmation mediates the relationship between connectedness and problem behaviors.
Main Methods:
- 186 African American children (ages 7-11) participated in the LEGACY Together Afterschool research project.
- Data were collected across 55 community-based afterschool programs using child self-report surveys.
- Statistical analyses examined the mediating role of racial-ethnic affirmation.
Main Results:
- Child-reported connectedness to staff and peers in afterschool programs was directly related to positive racial-ethnic affirmation.
- Positive racial-ethnic affirmation mediated the association between afterschool connectedness and reduced problem behaviors.
- Feeling safe and happy in afterschool settings was linked to both identity affirmation and fewer behavioral issues.
Conclusions:
- Supportive afterschool programs that nurture meaningful staff-child interactions are crucial for promoting positive youth development.
- Enhancing children's sense of belonging and affirming their identities can mitigate problem behaviors.
- These findings highlight the importance of creating affirming environments within afterschool settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
222
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
222
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.7K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.7K
01:28Conduct Disorder
483
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
483
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
471
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
471
01:25Importance of Need for Affiliation
261
The need for affiliation is a fundamental human motive that drives individuals to form and maintain interpersonal relationships. This universal drive varies in intensity among individuals due to genetic predispositions and life experiences, shaping it into a relatively stable personality trait. Social inclusion enhances emotional well-being by fulfilling the need for affiliation, whereas social exclusion leads to distress, negative emotions, and cognitive impairments.Psychological and Emotional...
261
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
233
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
233