Participation in Boys & Girls Clubs, vulnerability, and problem behaviors

Using a risk and resilience approach, this study examined the impact of participation in Boys & Girls Clubs on reducing vulnerability and problem behaviors among 297 youths aged 9 to 16 years of age. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships among the observed indicators of Club participation and poor self-concept and the latent constructs of vulnerability and problem behaviors. Results indicate that participation in Boys & Girls Clubs had a small, but significant relationship with a decrease in poor self-concept. Poor self-concept was in turn directly related to increased vulnerability; and increased vulnerability was related to increased problem behaviors. These findings point to the importance of Boys & Girls Clubs and other youth development organizations in promoting positive self-concepts to help decrease vulnerability and problem behaviors among program participants.