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J Youth Adolescence (2012) 41:379389 DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9737-4
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
Too Much of a Good Thing? How Breadth of Extracurricular Participation Relates to School-Related Affect and Academic Outcomes During Adolescence
Casey A. Knifsend Sandra Graham
Received: 4 October 2011 / Accepted: 2 December 2011 / Published online: 10 December 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011
Abstract Although adolescents often participate in multiple extracurricular activities, little research has examined how the breadth of activities in which an adolescent is involved relates to school-related affect and academic performance. Relying on a large, multi-ethnic sample (N = 864; 55.9% female), the current study investigated linear and non-linear relationships of 11th grade activity participation in four activity domains (academic/leadership groups, arts activities, clubs, and sports) to adolescents sense of belonging at school, academic engagement, and grade point average, contemporarily and in 12th grade. Results of multiple regression models revealed curvilinear relationships for sense of belonging at school in 11th and 12th grade, grade point average in 11th grade, and academic engagement in 12th grade. Adolescents who were moderately involved (i.e., in two domains) reported a greater sense of belonging at school in 11th and 12th grade, a higher grade point average in 11th grade, and greater academic engagement in 12th grade, relative to those who were more or less involved. Furthermore, adolescents sense of belonging at school in 11th grade mediated the relationship of domain participation in 11th grade to academic engagement in 12th grade. This study suggests that involvement in a moderate number of activity domains promotes positive school-related affect and greater academic performance. School policy implications and recommendations are discussed.
Keywords Extracurricular participation
School belonging Academic engagement
Academic achievement Adolescence
Introduction
Participating in extracurricular activities becomes increasingly important during adolescence, as youth explore their emerging interests and identities, make friends with others, and strive to t in with their peers (Dworkin et al. 2003). In the process of exploring themselves and connecting with others, many adolescents join multiple activity contexts. For instance, recent studies examining breadth of extracurricular participation indicate that, on average, high school students participate in two to three activities (e.g., Fredricks and Eccles 2010). Although many adolescents participate in multiple activities, relatively little research has explored how breadth of participation in different types of activities...