How others are involved in interest development

Abstract

Involvement of other people is beneficial, if not crucial, for adolescents' interest development. Our current understanding of how others can be involved in interest is mostly based on research into a particular kind of interest (e.g., STEM-interests) or particular contexts, most prominently school and hobby/affinity practices. This study explores the ways involvement of others unfolds when adolescents pursue different interests in and across different contexts. We studied all reported interests of nine purposefully selected adolescents over the course of almost three years using experience sampling reports of interest engagement (N = 3029 events) and interviews reflecting on interest pursuits (N = 174). We observed twelve manifestations of involvement during interest engagement, that differ in: (1) whether others were involved in a structural way; (2) who and (3) how involved others are; (4) if their involvement is necessary; and, lastly, (5) whether the interest engagement or involvement of others is foregrounded in adolescents' experience. We identified shifts in the presence of others, how they are involved, and their necessity for interest over time. Involved others appear to be consequential for if and how adolescents pursue their interests. These findings serve as a reminder to anyone concerned with adolescents' interest to be mindful of their own and others' role in adolescents' interest pursuits.