After-School Programs and Children’s Mental Health: Organizational Social Context, Program Quality, and Children’s Social Behavior

Abstract

Objective: The current study examined associations among organizational social context, after-school program (ASP) quality, and children’s social behavior in a large urban park district. Method: Thirty-two park-based ASPs are included in the final sample, including 141 staff and 593 children. Staff reported on organizational culture (rigidity, proficiency, resistance) and climate (engagement, functionality, stress), and children’s social skills and problem behaviors. Children and their parents reported on program quality indicators (e.g., activities, routines, relationships). Parents also completed a children’s mental health screener. Results: A series of Hierarchical Linear Models revealed that proficiency and stress were the only organizational predictors of program quality; associations between stress and program quality were moderated by program enrollment and aggregated children’s mental health need. Higher child- and parent-perceived program quality related to fewer staff-reported problem behaviors, while overall higher enrollment and higher aggregated mental health need were associated with fewer staff-reported social skills. Conclusions: Data are informing ongoing efforts to improve organizational capacity of urban after-school programs to support children’s positive social and behavior trajectories.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge our collaborating park district, including leadership and all regional and area managers, park supervisors, physical instructors, and recreation leaders, and all of the children and families who welcomed us into their communities and contributed significant time and energy to this work.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

The authors of this manuscript have complied with APA ethical principles in their treatment of individuals participating in the research, program, or policy described in the manuscript. The research has been approved by UIC and FIU Florida Institutional Review Boards for the protection of human subjects.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health R01MH081049 awarded to the first-author.