Self-Esteem and Feelings of Community Connectedness of At-Risk Adolescents Attending Community-Based Afterschool Programs

Abstract

This research investigated the relationship between adolescent afterschool program attendance, self-esteem and feelings of community connectedness. Thirty-nine of the 61 at-risk adolescents enrolled in two federally funded, community based afterschool programs participated in the study. Participants completed a 10-item self-esteem questionnaire and a 5-item section of the Youth Involved in Community Issues Survey (YICI) to measure perceptions of community connectedness. Attendance records were also collected from the sites. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlations.Results indicated that there was not a significant relationship between the total variables. The individual item analysis, however, did find a significant relationship between adolescent community connectedness and self esteem items. Findings suggest that there is a relationship to be explored and strengthened through means of community outreach for adolescents.

An Examination of Self-Esteem and Empowerment of African American Female Youth in an After School Program

“…This resulted in the rejection of the hypothesis. This finding was interesting because of the research literature supporting the idea that after school programs promote positive self-esteem and outcomes (John, Wright, Rowe, & Duku, 2009;Eccles & Gootman, 2002;Mahoney, Larson, & Eccles, 2005;John et al, 2009). However, the initial selfesteem scores of the participants in each cohort group were normal/high, so the lack of increase is not necessarily a negative outcome.…”

“…There are no program impact associations that can be established from this data, but after school programs have historically provided many resources that promote healthy selfesteem (John, Wright, Rowe, & Duku, 2009;Eccles & Gootman, 2002;Mahoney, Larson, & Eccles, 2005;Loughlin, Barnett, Culen, Stedman, Payne-Purvis, 2013;Barnett, Neely, PaynePurvis, Culen, 2014). Since the self-esteem scores of this population are already normal to high, the after school program can help them maintain their levels of self-esteem with continued support and guidance.…”

“…After school programs have been found to benefit adolescents and allow them to participate in activities that increase self-esteem (John, Wright, Rowe, & Duku, 2009). Adolescents in low-income communities also have a higher need for after school programs and engagement in activities that promote healthy development (Eccles & Gootman, 2002;Mahoney, Larson, & Eccles, 2005;John et al, 2009). Additionally, African American adolescent females face unique challenges in self-esteem and empowerment, which merit further research to gain understanding on how after school programs and professionals can best support African American adolescent females.…”

At-Risk Youth in After-School Programs: How Does Their Use of Media for Learning About Community Issues Relate to Their Perceptions of Community Connectedness, Community Involvement, and Community Support?

“…Connectedness came out the strongest of the three community variables in regard to explaining the variation of means, indicating that important connections were being made by youth. Connecting them to community builds pride and attachment, which can help protect them from risk factors and increase their resiliency (Loughlin, et al, 2013).…”

“…At-risk youth, those who are at increased risk for adversity, are presented with their own challenges in regard to connecting to their communities (Loughlin, Barnett, Culen, Stedman, & Payne-Purvis, 2013). Often fraught with disorganization, youth residing in these communities are faced with the disjointedness of their ecology.…”