The overall purpose of this study was to create a model of positive youth development (PYD) through sport grounded in the extant qualitative literature. More specifically, the first objective was to review and evaluate qualitative studies of PYD in sport. The second objective was to analyze and synthesize findings from these studies. Following record identification and screening, 63 articles were retained for analysis. Meta-method analysis revealed strengths of studies were the use of multiple data collection and validity techniques, which produced high-quality data. Weaknesses were limited use of ‘named’ methodologies and inadequate reporting of sampling procedures. Philosophical perspectives were rarely reported, and theory was used sparingly. Results of an inductive meta-data analysis produced three categories: PYD climate (adult relationships, peer relationships, and parental involvement), life skills program focus (life skill building activities and transfer activities), and PYD outcomes (in personal, social, and physical domains). A model that distinguishes between implicit and explicit processes to PYD is presented.

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The purpose of the current study was to examine two different trajectories of sport participation and explore any similarities or differences that may result regarding personal development and sport outcomes. Seventy-four youth athletes (40 "specializers" and 34 "samplers") were recruited for the current study and four measures were employed to assess sport experiences and outcomes. Discriminant function analyses revealed no differences between groups in asset possession or sources of enjoyment however, differences were reported in sport experiences and burnout. The "samplers" reported more experiences regarding the integration of sport and family as well as linkages to the community. Although the "specializers" reported higher levels of physical/emotional exhaustion than did the "samplers," they also reported more experiences related to diverse peer groups. The differences highlight the importance of examining specific pathways of development in sport to gain a deeper understanding of youths' experiences in sport.The experiences of youth in a variety of structured programs are, in themselves, quite varied. Structured programs, including arts, music, and sport, have been found to provide unique experiences and develop both positive and negative outcomes (Eccles & Barber, 1999;Fredricks & Eccles, 2006). Experiences in sport programs and subsequent outcomes related to sport have been studied by examining relationships between the participant and contextual factors present in the environment (i.e., coaches). Few studies have compared the sport experience for youth using the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP; Côté, 1999;Côté & Fraser-Thomas, 2007) as a process for development. The DMSP provides a framework to study the progression of youth in sport and identifies three main trajectories (i.e., recreational participation through sampling, elite performance through sampling, and elite performance through early specialization) that youth tend to pursue to attain levels of expert performance. The present study will focus on two of those trajectories: (1) elite performance through sampling and (2) elite performance through early specialization.Strachan, Côté, and Deakin are with the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen'

Since the early 2000s, models of positive youth development (PYD), as well as the concept of life skills, have served as popular approaches by which to situate psychosocial development in youth sport research. However, critiques have been put forth in terms of how the PYD approach fails to address power, privilege, and oppression and how life skills do not fully encompass the wide range of learning outcomes that can arise from sport participation. In light of social justice issues (e.g., systemic racism, gender inequity) that have led citizens in many countries to mobilize for change, there is a need to explore how PYD and life skills can be reimagined in order for youth sport research to be better positioned to promote dialogue and action on social justice issues in youth sport. The purpose of the present paper is to reimagine PYD and life skills in sport through a social justice lens. Following reflections on how PYD and life skills can be framed to further promote social justice in youth sport, implications for practice and research are offered.