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

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dc.contributor.advisorWatts, Clifton E.en_US
dc.contributor.authorBurkhart, Jessica L.en_US
dc.contributor.departmentRecreation and Park Administrationen_US
dc.date.accessioned2014-06-15T15:29:13Z
dc.date.available2014-06-15T15:29:13Z
dc.date.issued2013en_US
dc.description.abstractRural 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.  en_US
dc.description.degreeM.S.en_US
dc.format.extent130 p.en_US
dc.format.mediumdissertations, academicen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/4383
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherEast Carolina Universityen_US
dc.subjectTourismen_US
dc.subjectSocial sciences educationen_US
dc.subjectAdolescenceen_US
dc.subjectAfter schoolen_US
dc.subjectConstraintsen_US
dc.subjectPositive youth developmenten_US
dc.subjectRecreationen_US
dc.subject.lcshYouth in development--United States
dc.subject.lcshRural youth--United States
dc.subject.lcshRecreation--United States
dc.subject.lcshParent and teenager--United States
dc.titleFACTORS DETERMINING STRUCTURED ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION IN RURAL YOUTH : INTERNAL CAPACITIES, MICROSYSTEM SUPPORT, AND CONSTRAINT NEGOTIATIONen_US
dc.typeMaster's Thesisen_US

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