Creative, Agentic, and Engaged: The Benefits of Adaptive Creative Development in Early Adolescence

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Individual and Contextual Factors Affecting Child and Adolescent Development

Abstract

During early adolescent development creative resources may be highly advantageous for well-being and preparedness. However, creativity remains an understudied and undervalued part of student preparation in formal K-12 education. Recent research modeling the distinct latent trajectories of creative development experienced in middle school found at least 60% of students demonstrated low and/or declining trends of creative potential. More adaptive patterns of fluctuation or growth related to higher growth mindset and lower social conformity at the onset of middle school. This study tested how adaptive trajectories of creative development contributed to well-rounded development and found the most adaptive patterns demonstrated higher levels of agentic, academic, creative, and engagement outcomes at mostly large effects compared to lower and less adaptive trends.

Author

• Ross C Anderson, University of Oregon