AFFINITY PROJECT UPDATE: FROM INTERESTS TO PASSIONS From Interests…..to Passions: The role of caring adults Jean Rhodes & Adar Ben Eli-Yahu UMass Boston, CLRN

A spark is a “passion for a self-identified interest, skill or capacity that metaphorically lights a fire in the adolescents’ life, providing energy, joy, purpose and direction.” Peter Benson, SparksPeter Benson, Sparks 4.57 SPARKS

Democratization of Production

Proliferation of Tools

Unmediated communication

CONNECTED LEARNING Interest Driven Academically Oriented Socially Supported

Interest Driven Maintained/transferred to academics and other contexts Socially supported Hidi & Renninger, 2006; Mitchel, 1996 A developmental perspective

It is primarily through observing and playing and working with others older and younger than himself that a child discovers both what he can do and who can become—that he develops both his ability and his identity — Uri Bronfenbrenner interests

FROM DOMAINS…. Interest Transferred to Academic/Career Achievement

TO DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES… Socially Supported Interest Academic/Career Achievement

TO DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES… Socially Supported Interest Tenacity/Expertise

THREE RESEARCH QUESTIONS What is the nature of sparks? How do they relate to well-being What role do relationships play?

THE NATURE OF OF SPARKS 1.Although there might be pressure to claim that one has a deep interest, not all are approached with the same intensity “Most enjoyable activities are not natural; they demand an effort that initially one is reluctant to make. But once the interaction starts to provide feedback to the person's skills, it usually begins to be intrinsically rewarding.” ― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal ExperienceMihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience 2. The progression from passing interest to deep interests depends largely on support

“When we choose a goal and invest ourselves in it to the limits of concentration, whatever we do will be enjoyable. And once we have tasted this joy, we will redouble our efforts to taste it again. This is the way the self grows.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: ThePsychology of Optimal Experience Ben-Eliyahu, Rhodes, & Scales (under review)

ATTENTION AND ENGAGEMENT GAPS

METHOD Participants included 1, years-olds from across the United States who were participating in the national Teen Voice survey 56% European American

‘‘When people are really happy, energized, and passionate about their talents, interests, or hobbies, we say they have a ‘‘spark’’ in their life. This spark is more than just interesting or fun for them. They are passionate about it. It gives them joy and energy. It is a really important part of their life that gives them real purpose, direction, or focus. Do you have this kind of spark in your life?’’ Those who answered ‘‘yes’’ were counted as having a spark, and were asked to respond to an additional 7 items about their main spark: (1)“Feel joy or energy” (2) “Lose track of time” (3) “Feel a sense of purpose or focus”. (4) “Given me skills that will help me in a job or career” (5) “Helped me get along with other people” (6)“Given me chances to improve my family, school, or community” (7) “Encouraged me to learn new or extra things outside of the schoolwork I have” SPARK

RELATIONSHIPS SUPPORTING SPARK Most common types Encouragement Financial help Transportation Most common providers Parents Extended family (grandparent or other family neighbors Friends parents School (teacher, counselor, or other adult at school) Mentor, adult (in youth org or afterschool program)

GOALS OF STUDY Study variations in intensity of sparks Explore how emotional and instrumental supports were related to sparks. Explore sparks were related to a range of outcomes

SAMPLE: YEAR OLDS

PARENTS’ EDUCATION

Relationships: Encouragement, financial help, and transportation Parents, extended family (grandparent or other family), neighbors, friends, school (teacher, counselor, or other adult at school), mentor, adult (in youth org or afterschool program) Outcomes: Social  Leadership, social good contribution, civic engagement Academic  Mastery goals, missed school, grade point average, school effort Affective  Sense of purpose, positive future outlook, worry

NATURE OF SPARKS Latent class analyses

SPARK BY GENDER

SPARKS BY RACE/ETHNICITY

ENRICHMENT EXPENDITURES ON CHILDREN (TOP VS. BOT. 20% Source: Duncan & Murnane, 2011

SPARK BY PARENTAL EDUCATION

SPARK ACTIVITIES

SPARK & WELL-BEING

SPARK AND WELL-BEING

RELATIONSHIPS SUPPORTING SPARK

SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL THEORY URI BRONFENBRENNER Development, it turns out, occurs through this process of progressively more complex exchange between a child and somebody else— especially somebody who's crazy about that child.