The effect of an Upward Bound program on the self-concept of adolescent African-American males

The purpose of the study was to investigate variables that effected the self concept of adolescent African American males. The researcher investigated the self concept of twenty-six adolescent African American males (experimental group) who participated in an Upward Bound Program, located at a large Southern New England Land Grant University, comparing them to the self concept of thirty-one adolescent African American males (control group) who did not participate in the Upward Bound Program. The study took place during a six-week period during the summer. During this time the Upward Bound participants were involved in an intensive summer school program geared toward preparing them for their next grade level in high school. Also during that time period, members of the study\u27s control group did not participate in the Upward Bound Program. ^ It was the intent of the researcher to determine whether or not adolescent African American males, participation in an established upward Bound Program had a positive effect on their self concept, as measured by the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale and when compared to the self concept of adolescent African American males as measured by the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale, who did not participate in the Upward Bound Program. ^ Findings indicated that the Upward Bound Program did have a significant effect on the self concepts of the experimental group\u27s adolescent African American males. These effects were experienced Across several of the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale\u27s six domains: Academic, Affect, Competence, Family, Physical, and Social.