Patterns of Youth–Adult Relationships and Out-of-School Activity Participation Among Adolescents

• In Event: 35.081 - Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: 35.081-13 - Adolescent Issues in and out of School

Abstract

Youth today live in an age-segregated society. Yet youth-adult relationships provide important social support for youth and help promote positive youth development in multiple domains. Little is known about what factors in these relationships best nurture positive youth development, or how relationships vary across demographics. This study surveyed 289 adolescents (ages 11-18) about their important relationships with adults (VIPs). Preliminary results show that compared to higher socio-economic students, lower SES students participate in fewer activities and endorse fewer VIPs, yet spend more time and are closer to teachers specifically as well as overall VIPs. These results support some research findings while diverging from others, suggesting attention should be paid to different opportunities for youth-adult relationships across varying backgrounds.

Authors

• Christopher Rates, University at Buffalo SUNY

• Valerie A Futch Ehrlich, Center for Creative Leadership

• Nancy L. Deutsch, University of Virginia