FACTORS DETERMINING STRUCTURED ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION IN RURAL YOUTH : INTERNAL CAPACITIES, MICROSYSTEM SUPPORT, AND CONSTRAINT NEGOTIATION

Abstract

Rural youth often face challenges to recreation participation that differ from their urban counterparts. Fewer opportunities for exposure to positive adults, and a lack of resources and programs limit opportunities to positively impact youth in their free time. While these are commonly identified interpersonal and structural constraints, the research literature on adolescent intrapersonal constraints tends to focus on preferences or psychological variables related to aversion as opposed to limitations due to development. Resilience traits or protective factors can be thought of as internal capacities to support development and contribute to one's quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine how the internal capacities of youth and the presence of external supports from parents and other adults predicted participation in high yield, structured recreation activities among rural youth. Secondary purposes of this study were to understand the constraints to participating in structured activities and identify the negotiation strategies youth use to initiate and continue participation in structured activities. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory (EST), the study examined relationships with parents and other adults through a concurrent mixed-model design using survey data and focus groups with youth aged 11-16 years. Findings support the proposition that the internal capacities of youth related positively to the availability of high expectations from and caring relationships with parents. Goals and aspirations of youth, an internal capacity, and high expectations from adults also predicted youth participation in structured activities. In focus groups, youth cited distance from opportunities and family obligations as the primary reasons for not participating in sports and after school activities. Constraint negotiation to initiate and continue activities came primarily from the availability of parental resources, making conscious choices to avoid boredom, and the influence and expectations of others. Recommendations for practice focuses on asset mapping and developing recreational programs housed at local community centers.