Positive Youth Development Among Latino/a Youth in a Service Learning Program

This study explored the potential of a service-learning program to cultivate positive developmental strengths among Latino/a youth participating in a school-based program in Los Angles County. Youth (N=112) in grades 5–12, who were primarily from low SES backgrounds, participated in an environmental and humanitarian education program, the Jane Goodall Institute's, Roots & Shoots (R&S) program. Three positive youth development (PYD) variables, including civic responsibility, ethnic identity, and connection to nature were assessed before and after participation. Challenges in program implementation and data collection resulted in a small subset of participants that completed measures at the pre and posttest (n = 22). Within this group, no changes from pre to posttest emerged, yet the analysis was underpowered due to the small sample. Within the larger data set, no gender or ethnic differences emerged. All three PYD variables were related. Connection to nature was positively associated with SES and negatively associated with age. Results and implications for future research are discussed, as are issues related to academic-community research collaborations.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. in Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Drescher, Christopher Fox

Contributors dc:contributor

• Laura R. Johnson
• John Young
• Todd A. Smitherman

• Civic Responsibility
• Connection To Nature
• Ethnic Identity
• Latino
• Positive Youth Development
• Service Learning
• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/93

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:egrove.olemiss.edu:etd-1092