The Longitudinal Effects of Adolescent Volunteering on Secondary School Completion and Adult Volunteering

Is virtue its own reward? Moral identity, empathy, and volunteering during adolescence as predictors of subsequent epigenetic aging

Higher levels of moral identity, empathy, and volunteering (virtues) are associated with increased self-esteem and psychological well-being, which, in turn, are predictive of fewer health problems. Epigenetic aging, a marker of health, reflects the rate at which individuals age biologically relative to their chronological age. Epigenetic aging is shaped by behavioral factors and environmental stressors, but the effects of moral identity, empathy, and volunteering on epigenetic aging are underexplored. Thus, this study examined if these three dimensions of virtue predict epigenetic aging during adolescence and if these relationships are mediated by self-esteem and psychological well-being. The sample included 1,213 adolescents (51% female; 62% Black, 34% Non-Hispanic White, 4% Other race/ethnicity) that participated at three time points between 2004 and 2017 (Mage 13, 16, 19 years). Results revealed that higher moral identity and empathy were associated with higher self-esteem and psychological well-being during early adolescence. Moreover, higher empathy during early adolescence was associated with slower epigenetic aging on the GrimAge clock during late adolescence. Path analyses adjusting for covariates showed that higher self-esteem during middle adolescence predicted slower epigenetic aging in late adolescence, but none of the three virtues in early adolescence predicted self-esteem, psychological well-being, or epigenetic aging over time.

Examination of Current Anxiety Problems with School Engagement and Volunteer and Paid Work among U.S. Adolescents

This study examined the relationships between current anxiety problems and school engagement, community service or volunteer work, and paid work among U.S. adolescents. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) dataset was analyzed and included 24,609 adolescents ages 12-17 years. We conducted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyzes. A total of 12.6% of adolescents had healthcare provider-confirmed current anxiety problems. Adolescents with current anxiety were at decreased odds of engaging in school (aOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.29, 0.41) and participating in community service or volunteer work (aOR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.59, 0.86) compared to adolescents without current anxiety. Adolescents with current anxiety were at increased odds of participating in paid work (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.01, 1.38). This study reports that U.S. adolescents with anxiety were less likely to engage in school and participate in community service or volunteer work, but were more likely to participate in paid work compared to their peers without anxiety. Results should inform future interventions targeting adolescents.

Participation and enjoyment in Out-of-School activities during adolescence as predictors of activities in adulthood

This study examined associations between adolescents' participation in out-of-school activities and their participation in activities at age 26 (N = 1041, 50% girls, 77% White). More frequent adolescent participation in sports, arts, volunteer/community service, and religious activities increased the odds of participating in the same type of activity at age 26. Adolescents' enjoyment of activities partially explained the developmental continuity in activity participation. There was limited evidence that individuals' participation across different types of activities was associated. Finally, the diversity or breadth of adolescents' activity participation was associated with larger activity breadth at age 26. These findings suggest that adolescents' out-of-school activities help set the stage for participating in similar, but not different activities during young adulthood.

Prosocial behavior and youth mental health outcomes: A scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

This review aims to explore the existing literature about the virtue of helping others and its association with youth mental health. Mental health of youth is rooted in their social environment. Helping others or engaging in prosocial behavior are activities that youth may participate in. The notion of helping others and its association with individual mental well-being have been well-studied for adults and older adults and to some extent in youth, however, no review has been conducted to understand the intersection of helping others and mental health in the youth population.

METHODS

This review will consider all study designs that examine helping others and mental health of youth. The inclusion criteria for the review will include young individuals aged 10-24-year-old, living in any geographic location, of all gender identities, and with or without mental health issues. Grey literature and studies that only speak to outcomes related to physical well-being will be excluded. A search will be conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. Studies published in the English language will be included with no restriction on publication time period. Articles will be screened against the inclusion criteria onto a single software by two independent reviewers. In the case of any disagreement, a third independent reviewer would resolve the conflict.

FINDINGS

Data will be extracted and presented in a tabular or diagrammatic form supported by a summary. We will report our findings in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The findings of this review will provide evidence-based recommendations for promoting youth mental health and a basis for future research.

Humanitarian Athletic Participation and Identity Work

Numerous studies examine youth purpose and volunteerism, but only few investigate how altruistic activities shape identity development within athletic contexts. Endurance-based humanitarian fundraising teams are becoming increasingly popular forms of volunteerism among adolescents and young adults in the United States, but little is known about their developmental role. Twenty-four participants (15–21 years of age; M = 17.42) were interviewed to identify the prominent themes that arose from their experiences while training for and participating in a marathon. A thematic analysis was used to determine the dominant themes that characterized the intersection of humanitarian marathon training and running with aspects of identity work. The majority of the comments of the participants were directly tied to their experiences in running the marathon. Four themes were identified including identity work, faith, purpose, and social connection. More so than exploring their possible selves, a consistent theme throughout the interview with the participants was what they learned about their current selves and the capacities they already possessed during their marathon experience.