Activités parascolaires et décrochage scolaire au secondaire : liens en fonction des dimensions de la participation
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities (ECA) and high school dropout among at-risk youths. Multiple dimensions of participation were considered, such as continuity and intensity, to verify if they modified this link. Based on the few studies conducted in the United-States, a lower risk of dropping out was expected among students who were involved in ECA, especially when the participation was of better quality according to a set of dimensions, like greater intensity and longer duration of participation. Theses hypothesis were tested among a sample (N = 545) of adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age (M = 16.5 SD = 0.9) recruited from 12 schools in and around Montreal, Canada. Controls variables (e.g., parental education, academic achievement) were integrated in multiple logistic regressions in addition to considering the nested structure of the data (student within schools) and the individual likelihood of being involved in ECA. Results showed that participation in ECA was associated with a lower risk of dropping out (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.17-0.61), but only when the participation was maintained throughout the year. The continuity of participation has thus proved to be an important dimension of participation, unlike other dimensions which did not demonstrated any significant additional contribution to better predict high school dropout.
Extracurricular activities High school dropout At-risk students Dimensions of participation