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The role of motivation in predicting youth developmental outcomes in students participating in co-curricular activities in Singapore
Author
Tan, Lynette Su Ping
Supervisor
Yeo, Lay See
Liem, Gregory Arief D.
Abstract
In recent years, there is growing interest in the role Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) play in positive youth development. Limited research in Singapore where CCA is mandatory for youths prompted this study to investigate the impact of CCA on youth development. This study adopted a survey research design to examine how background variables (i.e., gender, stream and grade) differ in the type of CCA that secondary school students participate in Singapore. The role of quantitative dimensions of CCA participation (i.e., breadth, duration and intensity) and motivation on youth developmental outcomes (i.e., school belonging, lifelong learning, communication skill, confidence and teamwork) were also investigated in this study. A total of 1190 students, aged 12 to 19 years old, completed the same questionnaires three times over an academic year. Theoretical frameworks for this study included positive youth development and self- determination theory (SDT).
Results indicated that CCA participation varied across gender and stream but not grade. After controlling for background variables and quantitative indicators of CCA participation, CCA autonomous motivation positively predicted all five developmental outcomes in both the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. This study is among the first large-scale longitudinal studies on CCA participation and youth development of secondary school students in Singapore. Consistent with existing research, results support SDT, highlight the crucial role of autonomous motivation in predicting positive youth outcomes, and has implications for CCA participation in Singapore schools.
Results indicated that CCA participation varied across gender and stream but not grade. After controlling for background variables and quantitative indicators of CCA participation, CCA autonomous motivation positively predicted all five developmental outcomes in both the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. This study is among the first large-scale longitudinal studies on CCA participation and youth development of secondary school students in Singapore. Consistent with existing research, results support SDT, highlight the crucial role of autonomous motivation in predicting positive youth outcomes, and has implications for CCA participation in Singapore schools.
Date Issued
2018
Call Number
LB1065 Tan
Date Submitted
2018