RESULTS

1. Introversion, Engagement, and Psychosocial Adjustment Kelly M. Campbell, Holly L. Stack, Linda Rose-Krasnor, Michael Busseri, & The Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement Brock University • RESULTS • ·Introversion was negatively correlated with well-being (r(193)=-.227,p<.001), relationship quality (r(193)= -.230,p<.001), and social support (r(193)=-.151, p<.036), but not social network size. • ·Moderating effects of engagement were tested using hierarchical multiple regressions in which each of the four outcomes was used as the criterion. • Step 1: Introversion and engagement (sports or • community) • Step 2: Introversion by engagement interaction • ·None of the introversion with sports interactions were significant (see Table 1). • The introversion by community engagement interaction was a significant predictor of network size and relationship quality, and showed a trend in predicting well-being. (see Table 1 and Figure 1) • DISCUSSION • Engagement in community activities – but not sports – was associated with better outcomes only among relatively introverted young women. • Community activities may be particularly important in promoting positive social and personal outcomes in introverted young women. • However, directionality cannot be determined with this correlational data. Community engagement among introverted young women may be the result of their stronger social networks, relationship quality, and well-being. These factors may be less important in promoting engagement among their less introverted peers. Longitudinal research is needed. • Similar research is needed for introverted young men, for whom different types of activities may be beneficial. • INTRODUCTION • Introversion in adolescence has been associatedwith negative psychosocial outcomes, including increased loneliness, poor friendship quality, and decreased well-being. • Engagement in activities may provide opportunities for personal and social development, thus buffering some of the negative impact of introversion. • This moderating effect of engagement may vary depending on activity type. • Therefore, we tested the potential moderating effects of two types of engagement (structured sports and community activities) on the relations between introversion and hypothesized social and personal outcomes. • PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURES  • 196 17-19 year old female undergraduate students (mean age = 18.5, SD=.531) completed a self-report scale. • Introversion: two items (“prefer to be alone” & “anxious meeting new people”) rated on a 5-point scale. • Engagement: participants described and rated their frequency of involvement in 4 activities. Activities were coded for content and structure. Total frequency of involvement in structured sports (e.g., teams) and community activities (e.g., volunteering, religious involvement, youth groups) were calculated. • Hypothesized outcomes included well-being (e.g., self-esteem, optimism), relationship quality with non-family others, social network size, and social support. Table 1. Hierarchical Multiple Regressions Predicting Psychosocial Outcomes from Interaction of Introversion and Engagement Criterion Well-Being Social Network Social Support Relationships with Others β R2Δ β R2Δ β R2Δ β R2Δ Structured Sports Step 1: .052** .005 .026a .065** Engagement -.033 -.047 -.061 .109 Introversion -.226*** -.051 -.150* -.231*** Step 2: Eng*Int -.719 .009 .718 .009 .007 .000 .320 .002 Community Activities Step 1: .077*** .038* .037* .057** Engagement .162* .188** .121a .062 Introversion -.224*** -.049 -.148* -.229*** Step 2: Eng. * Int. .402 .016a .454 .020* .288 .205 .594 .034** ap<.10, *p<.05, **p<.01, ***p<.001 Figure 1- General Form of Interaction Between Introversion and Community Engagement Low Introversion Outcome High Introversion Low High Community Engagement Young women who were relatively less introverted showed little difference in the outcomes as a function of their community engagement. However, those who were relatively high on introversion had better well-being, larger social networks, and better relationships if they were more frequently involved in community activities than if they were less involved. The Centres of Excellence are a Health Canada-funded program. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of Health Canada.