Wong, Janet B.McDonough, Meghan H.Bridel, WilliamCulos-Reed, S. Nicole2023-02-032023-02-032022-03-04Wong, J. B., McDonough, M. H., Bridel, W., & Culos-Reed, N. (2022). The role of peers and the recreational environment in adolescent emotional safety. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14(6), 916–932. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2048058http://hdl.handle.net/1880/115807https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/43889Emotional safety is important for facilitating positive outcomes in afterschool programs. Emotional safety is not clearly conceptualized, and participants’ understandings of, and experiences with how the social and built environment contribute to emotional safety in afterschool programs is not well established. This qualitative case study examined early and middle adolescents’ experiences with their peers and the program environment, and how those experiences contributed to their feelings of emotional safety, from the perspective of both youth and staff working in afterschool recreational programs. Ten adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 along with 10 staff at two afterschool programs in low-income urban neighbourhoods were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Adolescents described emotional safety as being understood and not feeling like they had to hide their authentic selves. Youth felt emotionally safe among trusted peers and staff who would protect them, when they felt free and had choices, and when they were in spaces where they felt comfortable. Findings have implications for youth afterschool programming and among staff who work with youth.engUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.youthsocial relationshipsphysical activityafterschoolpositive youth developmentjournal articlehttps://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2048058