Positive Youth Development: Minority Male Participation in a Sport-Based Afterschool Program in an Urban Environment

Abstract

By promoting positive relationships and providing opportunities for self-exploration in a safe and trusting environment, afterschool programs can cultivate positive youth development in minority boys, at least in the short-term.

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“…First, the program appeared to have appeal because of the use sport as a medium, the provision of a caring relationship for youths, and the expectation of positive synergy between sport and life skills development. The findings of this study confirm the contention of the literature that sport is a strong hook to attract youth and a viable context and tool for youth development programs (Fuller et al, 2013;Lee & Martinek, 2009). In addition, the parents expected the sports program to close the guidance gap (Hellison, 1985) by providing structured mentoring for their children who lacked sufficient guidance.…”

A Systematic Review of Life Skill Development Through Sports Programs Serving Socially Vulnerable Youth

“…Armour and Sandford (2013) did not provide an explanation for the improvement in empathy. Two social interaction skills (i.e., communications skills [Armour & Sandford, 2013;Fuller et al, 2013;Riley & Anderson-Butcher, 2012] and conflict resolution skills [E. Fuller et al, 2013;Riley & Anderson-Butcher, 2012]) were reported as improving. An interesting observation is that the four studies that reported improvements in social interaction skills were qualitative studies.…”

“…For instance, one program included competitive sports activities at a community sports club (E. , whereas another program was a sportsbased summer camp in which program staff tried to create a mastery-oriented environment (Ullrich-French et al, 2012). Four of the programs in which participants were reported as developing self-regulation skills were based on PYD principles (E. Fuller et al, 2013;Riley & Anderson-Butcher, 2012;Walsh, Ozaeta, & Wright, 2010). One example of a PYD-based sports program that strengthened the development of self-regulation (i.e., self-efficacy, self-concept, and resistance skills) was a program that tried to create a supportive and empowering environment (Fuller et al, 2013).…”

“…Four of the programs in which participants were reported as developing self-regulation skills were based on PYD principles (E. Fuller et al, 2013;Riley & Anderson-Butcher, 2012;Walsh, Ozaeta, & Wright, 2010). One example of a PYD-based sports program that strengthened the development of self-regulation (i.e., self-efficacy, self-concept, and resistance skills) was a program that tried to create a supportive and empowering environment (Fuller et al, 2013). Other examples were a program in which sports coaches encouraged and supported youth to coach the sports activities (Walsh et al, 2010), a program in which coaches conducted a mastery-oriented coaching style (E. , and a program that focused on respect, effort, self-direction, and caring in the sports program context (Riley & Anderson-Butcher, 2012).…”

“…Sports programs (i.e., formally structured activities that take place for a specific time period and in the presence, or under the instruction, of adults (E. Bean, Whitley, & Gould, 2014;Fuller, Percy, Bruening, & Cotrufo, 2013;Ullrich-French, McDonough, & Smith, 2012)), are believed to provide youths with settings for life skill development (Fraser-Thomas, Côté, & Deakin, 2005). It has been argued that positive experiences in sports programs lead to improved emotional life skills, such as increased self-worth or reduced depressive symptoms (Eime, Young, Harvey, Charity, & Payne, 2013).…”