LEXINGTON, Ky. – Dr. Tarkington J Newman, Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) and Director of the Sport Social Work Research Lab, and Ph.D. student Levone Lee have been published in the journal Research on Social Work Practice for their collaborative study offering a unique look into the lived experiences of youth.
The article, titled “Photo-Based Methods to Illustrate the What-Where-How of Life Skill Transfer”, explores how youth participating in sport-based positive youth development (PYD) programs transfer life skills learned through sport to other areas of their lives. The study illustrates a range of life skill transfer opportunities, as well as the importance of key adult figures.
Findings gleaned from photograph notebooks, which featured photos taken by youth, illustrate the what-where-how of life skills transfer.
“The life skills youth depicted transferring included self-control, effort, teamwork, as well as personal and social responsibility. Further, findings highlight specific transfer contexts like home, school, community, and highlight how life skills are applied,” Newman said.
The study also found that life skill application varied by context and that youth use skills differently or multiple skills simultaneously at school, at home, and in sport settings.
For Lee, a third-year Ph.D. student, the inspiration to get involved in this study stemmed from a commitment to the Grand Challenges of Social Work, particularly the goal of enhancing healthy development for all youth.
“I was drawn to the strengths-based approach of positive youth development, which focuses on building the existing abilities and potential of young people,” Lee said. “PYD programs not only support social-emotional growth but also help youth develop critical life skills that can be applied across all areas of life.”
Newman and Lee have collaborated on several projects together, including Lee’s first lead-author article, “Attitudes Toward Aggressive and Violent Behaviors and the Role of Life Skills Among University Club Sport Athletes”.
Working with Newman has been an impactful experience for Lee, deepening his understanding of rigorous scholarship and opening doors to valuable collaborative opportunities.
“I’m especially grateful for Dr. Newman’s mentorship and the chance to contribute to research that has real-world impact. This experience has reinforced my commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in the social work profession.”
For Newman, the opportunity to mentor and collaborate with students like Lee is a privilege.
“Levone’s collaboration on this study is particularly meaningful, as this manuscript is the fifth and final article to be published from my own dissertation,” Newman said. “As an esteemed social work journal, the ability to publish in Research on Social Work Practice is an honor and provides a meaningful platform to disseminate our study findings.”
