title: Social connection and psychological outcomes in a physical activity-based youth development setting.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, 99164-1410, USA. sullrich@wsu.edu
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ullrich-French
authors.forename: Meghan H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: McDonough
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support