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Involvement in Extracurricular Activities: Identifying Differences in Perceptions of School Climate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2016

Andrew Martinez ,
Crystal Coker ,
Susan D. McMahon ,
Jonathan Cohen  and
Amrit Thapa
Andrew Martinez*
Affiliation:
Sacred Heart University, USA
Crystal Coker
Affiliation:
DePaul University, USA
Susan D. McMahon
Affiliation:
DePaul University, USA
Jonathan Cohen
Affiliation:
National School Climate Center, USA
Amrit Thapa
Affiliation:
National School Climate Center, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Andrew Martinez, Sacred Heart University, Department of Social Work, Academic Building HC219, College of Arts and Sciences, Fairfield, CT 06825USA. Email: AndrewMartinez78@gmail.com.
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Abstract

Many youth participate in extracurricular activities, and research has linked activity participation with school engagement and academic success. Social-ecological theory suggests that the social contexts of different types of extracurricular activities may differentially affect student outcomes. Yet, there is scant research examining the relation between various extracurricular activities and student outcomes. The current study seeks to address this gap by exploring how participation in three activities (sports, clubs, and arts), and combinations of these activities are associated with perceptions of school climate, using multilevel modelling. Participants included 15,004 high school students from 28 schools across 11 states in the United States. Findings suggest that students involved in extracurricular activities have more favourable perceptions of social-emotional security, adult support, student support, and school connectedness. However, these perceptions vary by activity type and combination, and do not appear to have a stacked effect in which involvement in more activities yields more favourable outcomes. We conclude that extracurricular activity participation may serve as a mechanism to promote a positive school climate. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Keywords

School BelongingSchool ClimateExtracurricular Supportschool psychology
Type
Articles
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 33 , Special Issue 1: School Belonging , July 2016 , pp. 70 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society Ltd 2016 

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