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The 4-H youth organization: Primary prevention through competency promotion

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Abstract

4-H programs have as one of their major objectives primary prevention through competency enhancement of psychosocial development. To evaluate the program's effectiveness in enhancing psychosocial development, an evaluation study was completed. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 12, 13 and 14 year old adolescents and their parents. A total of 330 respondents (165 families) completed an assessment designed to measure psychosocial maturity. Comparisons between 4-H and non-4-H parental and youth responses indicated that 4-H involvement is associated with higher parental perceptions of interpersonal and social adequacy. Other analyses suggest age differences affecting social maturity, and rural versus urban residency differences in program effectiveness.

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Authors
  1. Robert L. Young
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  2. Gerald R. Adams
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Additional information

Funding for this project was provided by Dr. Clark Ballard in the Office of the Vice President for Extension at Utah State University. Special assistance was provided by the state 4-H Program Leader, Dr. Gerald Olsen. Critical comments and constructive criticism were provided by Dr. Glen Jenson, USU State Extension Specialist and Head of the Department of Family and Human Development.

Robert L. Young is a doctoral student in Community and Human Resources at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He completed his M.S. degree in Family and Human Development at Utah State University.

Gerald R. Adams is a Professor of Family and Human Development, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Professor Adams.

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Young, R.L., Adams, G.R. The 4-H youth organization: Primary prevention through competency promotion. J Primary Prevent 4, 225–239 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324442

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