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Cited by 10Youth Development and Social SupportSchool Choice and PerformanceSocial and Cultural Dynamics

Social inequality in skills: Exploring the moderating role of extracurricular activities related to socio‐economic differences in non‐cognitive and cognitive outcomes

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Palou, Arnau, Ursin, Piia Af, Demanet, Jannick·2024·European Journal of Education
DOI 10.1111/ejed.12670
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Abstract

Engaging in extracurricular activities is known to affect both cognitive and non‐cognitive outcomes, but there is social inequality in access to these activities. In this study, we examine the role of extracurricular activities in moderating the relationships between secondary school students' social background and their cognitive and non‐cognitive outcomes. Secondly, we examine variations in these relationships among three European cities that represent different educational systems in managing student heterogeneity. Based on the study findings, the effects of extracurricular activities on academic outcomes varied with regard to measured skills and the city of study. Extracurricular activities were related to enhanced interpersonal skills in all cities studied. However, in Turku and Ghent, extracurricular activities buffered the socio‐economic gradient in interpersonal skills, whereas in Barcelona, such activities increased it. Rather surprisingly, in all cities, engaging in extracurricular activities magnified the effect of socio‐economic status on cognitive skills.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Palou, A., Ursin, P. A., & Demanet, J.
Affiliations
  • Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
  • University of Turku (FI)
  • Ghent University (BE)
Corresponding author
Palou, Arnau
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Education
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2024-05-07
Volume
59
Issue
3
ISSN
  • 0141-8211 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-3435
DOI
10.1111/ejed.12670
OpenAlex
W4396699062
Cited by
10
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 1
FWCI
3.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • European Journal of Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • UTUPub (University of Turku) (submittedVersion)
  • Dipòsit Digital de la Universitat de Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
  • Social Sciences › Education › School Choice and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Cultural Dynamics
Keywords
extracurricular activities, socioeconomic status, non-cognitive skills, cognitive skills, social skills, high school students, moderating effect, education system, European cities, Turku, Ghent, Barcelona

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