NCJ Number
210435
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 46-64
Date Published
2005
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of juveniles' participation in school extracurricular activities as a protective factor for youth at risk of engaging in delinquent behavior.
Abstract
A total of 169 secondary students from Glasgow, Scotland, completed 2 questionnaires, the Youth Self-Report and an additional information sheet, that requested information about their participation in extracurricular activities and delinquent behavior, as well as their possible risk factors for delinquency. The list of extracurricular activities included sports, hobbies and games, youth clubs and other organizations, and previous involvement in such activities. Risk factors included residing in a broken home, having four or more siblings, poor academic performance, and the absence of an important adult figure outside the home. Delinquent activities included rule-breaking and aggressive behaviors. Females were found to participate in significantly more nonsports and previous activities than males, and males participated in significantly more rule-breaking behavior than females. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses determined that gender and participation in sports were significant predictors of rule-breaking behavior, and a significant positive correlation was found between sports participation and aggressive behavior. Overall, the findings suggest that participation in extracurricular activities does not operate as a protective factor for juveniles, regardless of their risk for engaging in delinquent behavior. In fact, youth participation in sports may be a risk factor. 3 tables and 37 references