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1.
Front Psychol ; 14: 1175934, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20230894

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Grounded in the perspective of "Positive Youth Development" (PYD), resilience is an important developmental asset shaping human development. Although many studies have examined the impact of resilience on child developmental outcomes, relatively few studies have focused on the predictors of resilience, in particular familial antecedents of resilience in Chinese children and adolescents. In addition, the degree to which life satisfaction contributes to the mechanism by which family functioning impacts the development of children's resilience over time needs to be clarified. Besides, there is a scarcity of studies that incorporate family functioning, resilience as well as life satisfaction in a single comprehensive investigation to analyze the mediating impact of life satisfaction on the linkage between family functioning and resilience under COVID-19. Methods: The study investigated the predictive role of family functioning on resilience as well as the mediating effect of life satisfaction within the context of COVID-19, using data gathered in two waves before the onset of the pandemic and after the resumption of school during the pandemic, with 6 months apart. We employed the 33-item "Chinese Family Assessment Instrument" to evaluate family functioning, the 7-item "Chinese Resilience Scale" to assess resilience, and the "Satisfaction with Life Scale" with 5 items to measure life satisfaction. Results: As per the responses of 4,783 students in Grades 4 through 7 recruited in Sichuan, China, family functioning significantly predicted resilience concurrently and longitudinally. After controlling for resilience scores in Wave 1, results demonstrated that family functioning examined in Wave 1 predicted an increase in resilience reported in Wave 2. In addition, family functioning significantly predicted life satisfaction, which also significantly predicted resilience. Multiple regression using PROCESS analyses indicated that life satisfaction mediated the predictive relationship between family functioning and child resilience. Discussion: The findings spotlight the significant involvement of family functioning as well as life satisfaction in shaping children's resilience in the Chinese context. The study also supports the hypothesis that perceived satisfaction with life serves as a mediator between family functioning and child resilience, suggesting interventions and support should concentrate on the family level for enhancing resilience in children.

2.
Appl Res Qual Life ; : 1-22, 2022 Jul 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2316621

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have reported the feasibility and benefits of online service learning, but little is known about who benefits more from online SL and who is more satisfied. This study addressed these questions based on an evaluation of online service learning projects implemented in Xi'an and Chengdu, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pretest-posttest comparison showed significant positive changes in two intended learning outcomes (i.e., positive youth development qualities and service leadership qualities) and life satisfaction before and after the service among participating students in the Xi'an project. Cross-lagged modeling based on Xi'an and Chengdu data revealed that students with better initial positive youth development qualities tended to show increased service leadership qualities and life satisfaction after the service, while initial service leadership qualities did not predict positive youth development qualities and life satisfaction after the service. However, the two-line test indicated that some of these relationships might be curvilinear. Finally, Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated that students who experienced greater changes in positive youth development qualities and service leadership qualities reported better appraisal of course qualities, teacher performance, and course effectiveness, while multiple regression analyses showed the unique effects of change in service leadership qualities (but not change in positive youth development qualities) on the perception of teacher performance and course effectiveness. Altogether, this study not only showcases the potential benefits of online SL, but also provides initial evidence suggesting the variation in (perceived) benefits by students' psychosocial competencies and learning experiences.

3.
J Community Psychol ; 2023 Mar 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2275820

ABSTRACT

Burgeoning research has documented COVID-19's detrimental impacts globally, especially on the lives of adolescents. The present study examined the positive influences of a virtual, cross-age peer mentoring program on the development of adolescent participants in the face of the hardships created by the pandemic. In particular, this study focuses on the experiences of high school participants who served as both mentors and mentees in the program. Semi-structured interviews with participating high schoolers (n = 13) were coded and analyzed using the thematic analysis process. The interview data indicated that increased social support, the agency in prosocial pursuits, and greater purpose engagement resulted from their participation in the program. Results are discussed in the context of self-determination theory: youths' needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy. The program met these basic needs among participants which in turn supported purpose exploration during the pandemic.

4.
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ; 21(1):156-173, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2243731

ABSTRACT

The dual pandemic of 2020–COVID-19 and systemic racism–continues to reshape society. The current study examines how this dual pandemic contributes to the psychological distress of college student-athletes, with attention to college student-athletes who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of colour (BIPOC). A total of 222 student-athletes from nine universities completed the online survey. Student-athletes reported COVID-19 had a moderate impact on daily life. The direct effect of COVID-19 on psychological distress was found to be positive and significant but did not differ for BIPOC and White participants. Additionally, nearly all BIPOC student-athletes reported experiencing systemic racism;yet the level of systemic racism did not predict psychological distress. Findings provide insight related to the importance of mental health among college student-athletes. © 2022 International Society of Sport Psychology.

5.
Front Psychiatry ; 13: 1068737, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2236859

ABSTRACT

Backgrounds: Recent studies have shown that the qualities of children and adolescents' positive youth development (PYD) enable them to cope with developmental challenges in an adaptive manner and maintain healthy functioning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a lack of reporting on changes in children and adolescents' PYD qualities and Internet addiction and their relationship. This study investigated the association between PYD qualities and Internet addiction among the children and adolescents who have experienced the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A school-based cohort survey was launched in December 2019 (Wave 1, before COVID-19 lockdown) and followed up in June 2020 (Wave 2, after COVID-19 lockdown). The Chinese PYD scale (80 items, scoring 80-480) and Young's Internet addiction test (20 items, scoring 20-100) were used to evaluate the children and adolescents' PYD qualities and the degree of their Internet addiction, respectively. Cross-sectional regressions, longitudinal regressions, and cross-lagged panel model were used to examine the association between PYD qualities and Internet addiction. Results: 7,985 children and adolescents completed both waves of surveys. Compared with children and adolescents before lockdown (Wave 1), their total PYD quality dropped from 4.99 to 4.96 after COVID-19 lockdown (Wave 2), and the mean score for Internet addiction rose from 35.56 to 36.16. Cross-sectional analysis showed that after controlling for basic characteristics such as age and gender, the total PYD quality of children and adolescents in two waves was negatively correlated with the degree of Internet addiction during the same period, with ß of -6.10 and -6.95, respectively. Longitudinal analysis showed that after controlling for basic characteristics, children and adolescents' total PYD quality in Wave 1 was negatively correlated with the Wave 2 of Internet addiction and the change between the two waves of Internet addiction, with ß of -3.35 and -0.26, respectively. Cross-lagged panel models showed a negative bilateral relationship between total PYD quality and Internet addiction. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the qualities of children and adolescents' PYD declined, which makes children and adolescents more vulnerable to Internet addiction. Therefore, it is necessary to widely implement programs in China that can comprehensively improve the qualities of children and adolescents' positive development to prevent Internet addiction, especially after the blockade due to public health emergencies.

6.
Front Psychol ; 13: 1059330, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2163113

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 is a stressor creating much anxiety for the general public, such as anxiety related to possible infection, social distancing, financial strain and uncertainty. As the scientific literature shows that there is an intimate relationship between anxiety and depression, it is important to ask whether anxiety is related to depression under the pandemic and whether spirituality indexed by life meaning can moderate the relationship between anxiety and depression. According to theories highlighting the importance of life meaning, relative to people with a higher level of life meaning, the relationship between anxiety and depression would be stronger in people with a lower level of life meaning. Methods: Empirically, we collected data in two waves (i.e., before and after the first wave of COVID-19, respectively) from 4,981 adolescents recruited in Sichuan, China. Then, the 41-item "Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders" was employed to measure anxiety symptoms, 20-item "Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale" was utilized to examine depression symptoms, and the "Spirituality Subscale of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale" for assessing life meaning. Results: We found that anxiety significantly predicted depression at each wave and across time. Second, controlling for Wave 1 depression scores, results showed that a drop in Wave 1 anxiety predicted a drop in depressive symptoms over time. Regarding the relationship between meaning in life and depression, spirituality indexed by meaning in life negatively predicted depression at each wave and over time, and predicted change in depression across time. Finally, multiple regression analyses showed that life meaning moderated the predictive effect of anxiety on depression. Discussion: The findings support the thesis that spirituality serves as a protective factor for psychological morbidity in Chinese adolescents. The study also suggests the importance of helping adolescents to develop life meaning under COVID-19.

7.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(16)2022 08 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1979255

ABSTRACT

Positive youth development (PYD) is an innovative approach to protect students from mental health problems and promote their positive and holistic development. Although there are many studies on the beneficial effects of PYD programs on youth in high school and community contexts, it is not clear whether subjects adopting PYD principles can promote positive development for university students. Moreover, it is unclear whether such subjects are effective under COVID-19, where subjects are commonly taught via the "hybrid" mode (i.e., face-to-face plus online teaching). The present study examined students' changes in the PYD, wellbeing, and desired graduate attributes after they had taken a leadership subject utilizing PYD principles taught by the "hybrid" mode (N = 630). Adopting the one-group pre-test and post-test design (i.e., objective outcome evaluation), we found that students showed significant positive improvement in PYD indicators, wellbeing, as well as desired graduate attributes. Additionally, students had high satisfaction with the course design and teaching staff, and perceived many benefits from this subject based on the subjective outcome evaluation conducted at the end of the subject. Results also showed that students' satisfaction with the curriculum significantly and positively predicted their positive change in PYD indicators, indicating the convergence of subjective outcome evaluation and objective outcome evaluation. The results highlight the positive impacts of the hybrid mode leadership subject with PYD principles in higher education.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Leadership , Adolescent , COVID-19/epidemiology , Curriculum , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Students/psychology
8.
Curr Psychol ; : 1-10, 2022 Aug 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1966186

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many uncertainties and adversities for young people, negatively influencing their mental health. The present study investigated the mediation role of intolerance to uncertainty (IU) in the relationship between social emotional learning (SEL) skills and happiness, and between SEL skills and life satisfaction (LS) of young people, within the framework of Positive Youth Development (PYD). The study included 589 university students (51% women) aged 18-24, and the participants completed a Demographic form, Social Emotional Learning Scale-Young Adult Form, Intolerance to Uncertainty Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. In the study, the mediating role of IU on the relationship between SEL skills and happiness (Model 1) and between SEL skills and LS (Model 2) were tested. The analysis first indicated positive direct relations of SEL skills with happiness and LS, as well as negative direct relations with IU. In addition, there were negative associations between IU and happiness, and between IU and LS. The results also demonstrated the mediation role of IU on the relationships between SEL skills and both happiness and LS. These findings confirmed the pivotal role that SEL skills play in happiness and LS by reducing the impact of IU, thus promoting PYD during the pandemic.

9.
Front Psychiatry ; 13: 931404, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1957204

ABSTRACT

As studies on the mental health status of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic are almost non-existent in Hong Kong, we examined four research questions in this paper: What is the prevalence of depressive symptoms in university students in Hong Kong? What are the socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptoms? Do need satisfaction and positive youth development (PYD) attributes, including beliefs about adversity, psychosocial competence (resilience and emotional competence) and family functioning predict depression? Do PYD attributes moderate the predictive effect of need satisfaction on depression? We examined the above research questions using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R) in 1,648 university students in Hong Kong. For PYD attributes, we utilized validated measures of Chinese beliefs about adversity, psychosocial competence (resilience and emotional competence), and family functioning. For need satisfaction, we used a measure derived from two focus group interviews involving university students. Results showed that 48.4% of the respondents (95% confidence interval = [45.9%, 51.1%]) scored 16 or above (i.e., "at-risk" for clinical depression). As predicted, age, gender, student status (local vs. international), and family financial hardship were significant socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptoms. Besides, need satisfaction and PYD attributes negatively predicted depression scores. Finally, multiple regression analyses controlling for gender, age, and student status as covariates showed that all PYD attributes moderated the impact of need satisfaction on depression. The findings reinforce the theoretical proposition that PYD attributes serve as important factors in protecting the mental health of university students during the pandemic.

10.
Front Pediatr ; 10: 842928, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1952498

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of Internet in the adolescent population has increased. A growing research interest has been developed about the consequences of Internet use for adolescent development. Despite most studies have examined the impact of Internet use on some indicators of psychological maladjustment, few studies have addressed the detrimental impact on the positive indicators of mental health. Positive youth development (PYD) represents a positive view of adolescent transition to adulthood which focuses on building the strengths that make young people more resistant to negative outcomes and more capable to choose a positive life direction. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between different aspects of Internet use and overall PYD in a sample of Spanish adolescents. To reach this aim, a sample of 1,038 adolescents (50.1% boys, M age = 14.19, SD = 1.38), enrolled in 14 high schools in the city of Huelva (Spain), filled in some self-report measures of PYD and Internet use and experience, such as the frequency of Internet use on weekdays or weekends, the different uses of Internet (i.e., social networks, playing online, reading, surfing or looking for information, playing or downloading music, and searching, selling, or buying products), and the subjective experience using the Internet (i.e., acknowledgment of spending too much time playing or in the networks, and being in a bad mood if they do not play or use the networks). Results of a hierarchical regression analysis showed that the more hours using Internet on weekdays, the less PYD. Moreover, the experience of feeling bad when not using the networks and spending too much time with online playing was related to lower PYD. However, the use of Internet for reading or looking for information had a positive association with PYD. These results suggest some implications for practice, such as the need to promote an adaptive Internet use, by providing a safe online context that encourages the acquisition of positive social values and life skills.

11.
Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues ; 9(4):396-415, 2022.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1934593

ABSTRACT

Governments rely increasingly on social partners for assistance to deliver on UNESCO’s sustainable development goals by 2030. However, community organisations are buckling under socio-economic hardship and a lack of donor funding during a global Covid-19 pandemic. Many social enterprises (SEs) are faced with the reality of cutting back or in some instances, completely shutting down their operations. An investigation of the literature revealed a high rate of early-stage business failure in South Africa. Hence our investigation into the key success factors that will aid SEs to scale and thrive in the hostile South African socio-political and economic climate. Using a qualitative, single case study approach underpinned by an interpretivist philosophy, this paper investigates the critical success factors for scaling SEs in South Africa. Three (3) semi-structured interviews, website content analysis and observations were used in the study to deliver data that was thematically analysed to come to the following results: SEs must express the ambition to scale, provide a best practice model, and have a social entrepreneurship orientation. Grassroots SEs must create access for local communities by focusing on three organisational dimensions, i.e., personal, operational, and strategic. Community partnerships are an overarching factor when considering scaling GSEs. By forming a social contract with communities, SEs allow them to take ownership of the interventions, increasing social impact. This paper adds to the existing knowledge regarding the critical success factors that enable the scaling of SEs in South Africa. It also creates a frame of reference for grassroots SEs in other developing countries.

12.
Journal of Childrens Services ; : 10, 2022.
Article in English | English Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1883101

ABSTRACT

Purpose Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCs) provide numerous avenues for youth to connect, be physically active and have healthy meals/snacks. These services are often provided to low-income families at reduced cost to bridge the gap in after school and summer childcare. However, many of these clubs were forced to dramatically change their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine how 13 BGCs in Texas, USA, experienced COVID-19 and persevered to provide services. Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with 16 BGC leaders from 13 different BGCs. Open-ended questions were used to elicit leaders' experiences with the pandemic, services their clubs were able to offer, barriers overcome and supports crucial to their ability to serve their communities. Thematic analysis was used to generate findings from these interviews. Findings BGC services changed significantly during the pandemic. Normal activities were no longer possible;however, leaders (alongside their communities) continually provided services for their families. Further, leaders reiterated the power of the community coming together in support of their families. Social implications While BGC leaders had to adapt services, they found ways to reach families and serve their community. These adaptations can have dramatic impacts on the social and physical well-being of children in their communities. Learning from this adversity can improve services as clubs start to build back. Originality/value This study provides vital context to the changing care and setting children were exposed to during the pandemic response. Additionally, these results provide understanding of the adaptations that took place in these services.

13.
Social Skills: Influencing Factors, Gender Differences and Impact of COVID-19 ; : 123-146, 2021.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-1877423

ABSTRACT

Over the last few decades research has shown the potentiality of sports practice and of relationships experienced in this context to social and emotional skills development in different age groups. Theoretical models were proposed to support sports programs that aim to promote positive outcomes and adaptive behaviors that act as protective factors for mental health, contributing to a healthy development. However, physical distancing measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic prevented sport practices in the conventional way, as predicted in these models. The aim of this chapter was to discuss the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic on the potentiality of sport to foster positive development in practitioners of different age groups, as well as to reflect on the challenges to be faced after the pandemic is controlled, specially those related to the resumption of in-person sports practices. In this sense, positive youth, adults and older adults development models in sports are presented, their main limitations in face of the pandemic, as well as possible theoretical and practical adaptations in sports programs to confront current and future challenges to the maintenance of sports practices. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

14.
Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences ; 83(7-A):No Pagination Specified, 2022.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-1837492

ABSTRACT

In this qualitative study, I examine the experiences of staff who work in an after-school program (ASP). Specifically, I investigate their roles in the program, how they support the building of meaningful relationships with their participants, and their perceptions of the effectiveness of the program. Prior to COVID-19, after-school programs were intended to provide a safe environment for students during after-school hours. There is a growing recognition that after-school programs provide opportunities for positive social development, particularly among adolescents.In the midst of COVID-19, ASPs transitioned into all-day programs due to school closures. This transition allowed programs to provide support to students and families who were impacted by the coronavirus, had limited Internet access, and had to adapt to virtual instruction while their parents had to report to work in-person. It is critical to understand the program staff members' continued focus on developing meaningful relationships with students, supporting their participants' development into positive young adults, and meeting the increased needs of their families during a pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

15.
Sports (Basel) ; 10(4)2022 Mar 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1810128

ABSTRACT

Sport has the potential to support psychosocial development in young people. However, extant studies have tended to evaluate purpose-built interventions, leaving regular organised sport relatively overlooked. Moreover, previous work has tended to concentrated on a narrow range of outcomes. To address these gaps, we conducted a season-long ethnography of a youth performance sport club based on a novel Realist Evaluation approach. We construed the club as a social intervention within a complex system of agents and structures. The results are published in this special issue as a two-part series. In this first paper, we detail the perceptions of former and current club parents, players and coaches, using them to build a set of programme theories. The resulting network of outcomes (i.e., self, emotional, social, moral and cognitive) and generative mechanisms (i.e., the attention factory, the greenhouse for growth, the personal boost and the real-life simulator), spanning across multiple contextual layers, provides a nuanced understanding of stakeholders' views and experiences. This textured perspective of the multi-faceted process of development provides new insights for administrators, coaches and parents to maximise the developmental properties of youth sport, and signposts new avenues for research in this area.

16.
AERA Open ; 8:40, 2022.
Article in English | Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1794046

ABSTRACT

The mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on PK-12 youth is likely an urgent and enduring concern, yet research on this topic is still emerging. To synthesize current knowledge, the researchers conducted a systematic review of empirical studies exploring the mental health impacts of COVID-19. Five themes emerged across 104 included studies: (a) the pandemic proved widely disruptive to PK-12 youth;(b) there was a clear connection between the mental health of caregivers (e.g., parents) and children;(c) the pandemic broadly increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in PK-12 youth;(d) students were particularly affected on the basis of age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and previous mental health or disability diagnosis;and (e) youth demonstrated negative and positive coping strategies and even saw some positive mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.

17.
Front Psychiatry ; 13: 765908, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1715065

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased levels of uncertainty and social polarization in our societies, compromising young people's capacity to envision a positive future and maintain a meaningful sense of purpose in life. Within a positive youth development framework, the present study investigates the associations of a positive future orientation, presence of and search for meaning in life, and support for violent radicalization (VR) in a diverse sample of Canadian college students. In addition, we investigate the moderating role of future orientation in the association between presence of and search for a meaning in life and support for VR. A total of 3,100 college students in Québec (Canada) (69% female; M age = 18.57, SD age = 1.76) completed an online survey during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from linear mixed-effects models indicate that a positive future orientation and a higher presence of a meaning in life were negatively and independently associated with support for VR. Search for meaning in life was not associated with support for VR. The magnitude of the negative association between presence of a meaning in life and support for VR was greater among students with a more positive future orientation. Schools and colleges are in a privileged position to implement preventive interventions to support a positive future orientation and the presence of a meaning in life among young people during these challenging and uncertain times and reduce the risk of violence related to extreme ideologies in our rapidly changing society.

18.
Front Psychol ; 12: 807341, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1686540

ABSTRACT

This study examined the influence of 7 high school esports developmental programs on student self-regulation, growth mindset, positive youth development (PYD), perceived general health and physical activity (PA), and sport behaviour. A total of 188 students (male n = 120; female n = 68) originally participated (89 enrolled in an esports program in their school and 99 acted as aged-matched controls), with 58 participants (n = 19 esports group; n = 39 controls) completing both pre- and post-program information. At baseline, no significant differences were found between youth e-athletes and their aged-matched controls. The analysis for the observation period showed a significant interaction effect for the PYD confidence scale, with post-hoc comparisons showing a significant decrease in the control group from pre- to post assessment whereas the esports group remained the same. Time main effects showed a decrease in the self-regulation motivation factor, PYD connection factor and PA for all participants. Overall, this study showed that students enrolled in their respective school esports program did not differ from those who did not in self-regulation, growth mindset, PYD, perceived health and PA, and sport behaviour. It was likely that all participants showed a decrease in motivation, connection, and PA due to COVID19 lockdown during the study period. This study is the first to investigate the longitudinal impact of student involvement in high school esports and showed that esports participation did not have a negative impact on any health or psychological factors.

19.
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ; : 18, 2022.
Article in English | Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1635928

ABSTRACT

The dual pandemic of 2020 - COVID-19 and systemic racism - continues to reshape society. The current study examines how this dual pandemic contributes to the psychological distress of college student-athletes, with attention to college student-athletes who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of colour (BIPOC). A total of 222 student-athletes from nine universities completed the online survey. Student-athletes reported COVID-19 had a moderate impact on daily life. The direct effect of COVID-19 on psychological distress was found to be positive and significant but did riot differ for BIPOC and White participants. Additionally, nearly all BIPOC student-athletes reported experiencing systemic racism;yet the level of systemic racism did not predict psychological distress. Findings provide insight related to the importance of mental health among college student-athletes.

20.
Front Public Health ; 9: 729291, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1497174

ABSTRACT

Afterschool programs have the potential to promote social, emotional, and physical health outcomes among youth participants. The positive youth development (PYD) framework argues that acquiring desirable attitudes and behaviors occurs when skill-building opportunities are explicitly provided within a safe and supportive climate guided by caring, competent, and compassionate instructors. Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a PYD program that uses running, motor skills, and other physical activities as a platform for promoting positive psychosocial outcomes and life skills learning among elementary- and middle school-aged girls. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged GOTR to modify lessons, coach training, and program delivery (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) to accommodate public health guidelines. The purpose of this study was to assess caregivers' and coaches' perceptions of program effectiveness in light of these changes. Following the Fall 2020 season, caregivers (n = 1,617) and coaches (n = 991) from 1,077 teams and 39 councils completed an online survey about program experiences. Both stakeholder groups positively rated program impact regardless of delivery mode, although in-person mode was rated higher for satisfaction with the end-of-season event. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses revealed that caregivers and coaches identified increased physical activity opportunities and life skills learning as well as improved social, psychological, and emotional development as a result of participating. Both stakeholders noted GOTR provided a sense of normalcy during this time of great need. Findings using mixed methods provide evidence of program effectiveness and recommendations for youth programming during challenging times.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Running , Adolescent , Child , Exercise , Female , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2
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