Extracurricular Participation and Family Background in Shaping Youth Development in Junior High Schools

This study examined the impact of extracurricular participation and family background on youth development among junior high school students, specifically focusing on social competence, peer relationships, and communication skills. A descriptive-comparative research design was employed, utilizing a structured survey administered to 200 students from the Magsaysay North District. The study analyzed the extent of student participation in extracurricular activities, the stability of their family background, including socioeconomic status, family structure, and parental expectations, and the corresponding development of key social skills. Findings revealed that while most students demonstrated moderately to extensively developed social skills, higher extracurricular engagement and more favorable family conditions significantly enhanced these competencies. One-Way and Two-Way ANOVA results confirmed the individual significance of both variables (p \textless .001), while the interaction effect between them was not statistically significant (p = .249). Post hoc tests indicated meaningful differences in social skill outcomes across participation and background levels. The study concludes that extracurricular and familial factors independently shape youth development, highlighting the need for schools and communities to address each domain through targeted interventions.