Characteristics of family environment and levels of 4-H member participation

TitleCharacteristics of family environment and levels of 4-H member participation
Year of Publication1982
AuthorsHesler, DL
DegreePh.D.
Number of Pages131 leaves
UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
City/Place PublishedMadison, WI
Thesis TypeDoctoral
Abstract

A major purpose of the study was to determine the strength and direction of relationships between levels of 4-H member participation and the family environment variables of cohesion and conflict based on family systems theory. One hundred and sixty-five randomly selected 4-H families from five Wisconsin counties participated with at least one parent and one 4-H member responding to a written questionnaire administered by 4-H teen leaders. The Moos Family Environment Scale (Moos and Moos, 1981) was used to identify family member perceptions of conflict and cohesion in their families. Findings indicated that child and family conflict were positively related to 4-H member participation. No significant relationship was found between family cohesion and 4-H member participation. Level of 4-H participation was not related to family involvement in 4-H. Level of 4-H participation was not related to family socioeconomic status although it was positively related to father's occupation. Child's 4-H participation was negatively related to parent hours of employment away from the home. There were not enough single parent families in the sample to test any hypotheses related to number of parents in the home. Conclusions: 4-H program designs need to vary to attract different family types, 4-H needs to provide experiences for adolescents that can be carried out independently of parents, varied and reasonable levels of parent time and resource input to 4-H must be accommodated, 4-H efforts to involve parents should facilitate strengthening father-child relationships.

Notes
  1. PRK Abstract
  2. 4-H Impact Study Abstract
URLhttp://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9119506