NCJ Number
214984
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 35 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 359-372
Date Published
June 2006
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study used longitudinal data from 354 rural middle-school students to determine how parenting practices and adolescent motivational patterns influenced the adolescents' interest in freely chosen leisure activities.
Abstract
There were significant differences in lack of motivation ("amotivation"), self-regulated motivation, and types of interests related to free-time activities across grade level. Adolescents reported high levels of amotivation in the use of their free time in ninth grade compared to seventh and eighth grades, as well as lower levels of self-regulated motivation in ninth grade. These findings are consistent with previous research that has shown adolescents to be less motivated in general and less internally motivated with age. These findings across studies suggest that although adolescence is a period when youth gain more independence and have more opportunity to choose their developmental experiences, they are actually less motivated, engaged, and interested in their free-time activities. The study did not find significant grade-level differences in parental knowledge or parental control. Boys reported greater interest in free time compared to girls, which was contrary to previous research on adults. Parental knowledge had a direct positive influence on adolescent free-time interests, while parental control had a direct negative impact on adolescents' free-time interest. This suggests that when parents are involved in and knowledgeable about their children's free-time activities, children are more likely to structure their environment to seek out interesting and engaging free-time experiences. The study used longitudinal data on 354 rural middle-school students from 9 schools in low-income areas. Various instruments were used to measure motivation in free time, parenting practices related to free time, and interest in free time. 4 tables, 1 figure, and 69 references