Trajectories of Participation in Movement Activities: Promoting Positive Patterns.
Agans, Jennifer.
2017-04-20T13:56:27.532Z
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Abstract: Physical activity is important for both physical and psychological health and well-being across the life span. However, little is known about how experiences and participation patterns in physical activity during youth and adolescence may be related to experiences and participation in young adulthood. To address this gap, this dissertation presents a developmental model of experiences in... read moresport and other movement activities, using this theory to frame a longitudinal mixed-method study of participation patterns and experiences in movement activities across adolescence and into young adulthood. Quantitative data (derived from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development) and qualitative interviews (conducted with participants selected based on the quantitative analyses) were used to examine longitudinal patterns of participation in athletic contexts and the lived experiences of individuals exhibiting different patterns of engagement. Quantitative findings suggested that adolescent patterns of movement activity participation were associated with both concurrent and young adult outcomes, such that youth with higher rates of involvement tended to show more positive outcomes (e.g., higher levels of positive youth development, lower levels of depressive symptoms, higher rates of young adult participation) than youth with little or no participation in movement activities. Qualitative findings revealed that individuals who maintained high levels of participation into young adulthood enjoyed the challenges, friendships, and accomplishments that these activities provided to them. Individuals who decreased their participation in young adulthood appreciated the health benefits of participation and enjoyed their accomplishments, but felt less skilled in athletic contexts than their peers. The implications of this work for future research and application are discussed in light of the importance of a person-centered approach to the promotion of healthy, active lifestyles. In particular, the findings of this study suggest that attention to the fit between the individual participant and the movement context is fundamental to enabling positive movement experiences and continued participation to occur. Thus, identifying and creating opportunities for young people to explore and to find the types of activities they most enjoy is key for the development of active lifestyle trajectories.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2015.
Submitted to the Dept. of Child Study and Human Development.
Advisor: Richard Lerner.
Committee: Sasha Fleary, Nicholas Holt, and Daniel Gould.
Keyword: Developmental psychology.read less - ID:
- vh53x7084
- Component ID:
- tufts:21342
- To Cite:
- DCA Citation Guide EndNote
