Deciphering the Relationship Between Extracurricular Activities and Delinquency Among Teenage Youth

The link between involvement in extracurricular activities and delinquent conduct may be impacted by internal factors, such as self-control. The current study utilizes data from a sample of delinquent youth to examine the two-way relationship between self-control, participation in extracurricular activities, and antisocial behaviors. Our findings indicated that individuals exhibiting lower self-control appeared to gain from heightened involvement in extracurricular activities (i.e., increased variety and intensity of experiences) in extracurricular activities. However increased participation in extracurricular activities was found to correlate with a rise in delinquent behaviors among those exhibiting higher established levels self-control. This relationship is examined through the theoretical lens of personality trait theory, which suggests that youth experience shifts in the superordinate personality dimensions of Engagement and Self-Control as youth mature developmentally.