What is the effect of 4-H involvement on levels of empathy, self-esteem, community involvement and positive view of the future on urban youth?

• Main Author: Bonnett, Erika Dawn
• Other Authors: Stedman, Nicole
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: Texas A&M University 2007
• Subjects: urban youth; 4-H
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/4843

The purpose of the study is to examine the variable of empathy, self-esteem, community involvement, and positive view of the future for both 4-H and non-4-H members in an urban setting. The study also evaluates the link of leadership to empathy, self-esteem, positive view of the future, and community involvement. The study utilized a quantitative research model in which a survey was taken of youth presiding in urban areas in the state of Texas. Descriptive statistics were used to report subject responses from each of the four variables for each question. Individual demographic data was reported by each participant. Reliability was calculated for each sub-scale based on the question section. The reliabilities reported internal constancy within the instrument. The study was designed to look at both 4-H and non-4-H participants in an urban population. Seven of the twenty urban and urban initiative counties chose to participate; these counties were Bexar, Denton, Harris, Lubbock, Montgomery, Nueces, and Travis. Data were collected using purposive sampling. County extension agents were targeted who had access to both 4-H and non-4-H groups. Data collection was consistently below the expectation for each county. This resulted in the low number of overall respondents and low representation of both 4-H and non-4-H members. One problem that occurred was the lack of representation of non-4-H members due to the 4-H agent not being able to contact other agencies due to the timing of the questionnaire and the amount of time and depth of the questionnaire. The overall response rate for the study was 27%. This low response rate hinders results and decreases the applicable differences between the two groups. All findings can only be based to the specific group that was sampled. Findings are: 1. Empathy, community involvement, self esteem, and positive view of the future can be indicators of leadership. 2. Race has a significant impact on self-esteem. 3. 4-H involvement has a significant impact on community involvement. 4. Race has a significant impact on positive view of the future.