Participating in Extracurricular Activities is Associated with Enhanced Social-Emotional Skills: A Cross-Cultural Investigation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 7:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: An International View of Social Emotional Learning

Abstract

Social-emotional learning has been linked to academic success, psychosocial well-being, and physical health. This study examined whether extracurricular activity (ECA) participation is associated with social-emotional skills. Analyzing data from high school students in the United States (N = 2,922) and China (N = 3,600), we explored the role of five ECAs (sports, arts, social activities, community service, and environmental protection activities) on social-emotional skills. ECA participation was associated with stronger social-emotional skills, even after controlling for gender and socio-economic status. In the US, sports participation was most strongly correlated with social-emotional skills. In China, environmental protection activities showed the strongest links with social-emotional skills. Findings aim to inform culturally responsive policies that leverage ECAs to support social-emotional learning.

Authors

• Yat Mei Suen, Wellesley College

• Zixuan Lin, University College London - IOE

• Gwyneth Leung, University of California - Los Angeles