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From program participant to engaged citizen: a developmental journey
Author(s) -
Borden Lynne,
Serido Joyce
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.20293
Subject(s) - empowerment , youth empowerment , focus group , positive youth development , qualitative research , participant observation , psychology , developmental psychology , pedagogy , sociology , political science , social science , anthropology , law
American youth who participate in both school‐based and community‐based programs during high school remain more civically engaged than their contemporaries throughout adulthood. However, few studies have examined the developmental processes through which participation in a youth directed program promotes civic responsibility. In this qualitative study, 23 males and 9 females took part in one of five focus groups to talk about their experiences as members of a youth empowerment center in the southwest. The results reveal a three‐phased process model of development from program participant to civically engaged youth. Each of the three phases, participation, connection and expansion, is explained using the words and examples provided by the youth. Implications for application and future research are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.