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Investigating General and Specific Links from Adolescents' Perceptions of Ecological Assets to Their Civic Actions

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Investigating General and Specific Links from Adolescents' Perceptions of Ecological Assets to Their Civic Actions
Language: English
Authors: Wray-Lake, Laura, Sloper, Michelle A.
Source: Applied Developmental Science. 2016 20(4):250-266.
Availability: Psychology Press. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Junior High Schools
High Schools
Descriptors: Citizen Participation, Volunteers, Political Attitudes, Correlation, Ethnic Groups, Computer Mediated Communication, Adolescent Development, Peer Relationship, Parent Role, Neighborhoods, Middle School Students, High School Students, Student Attitudes, Student Surveys, Statistical Analysis, Factor Analysis, Maximum Likelihood Statistics, Structural Equation Models
Geographic Terms: California
DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2015.1114888
ISSN: 1088-8691
Abstract: Civic engagement is an important marker of thriving among adolescents, and more research is needed that clarifies the ecological assets (positive supports across settings) that foster youth civic engagement. Simultaneously modeling associations between multiple ecological assets and civic behaviors can provide a nuanced view of the way adolescents' ecological assets relate to distinct forms of civic engagement. To advance positive youth development theory, we used a bifactor modeling approach to examine general and specific ecological asset factors in relation to volunteering, conventional political, online political, and informal helping behaviors. In a large ethnically diverse sample of adolescents, the general ecological asset factor was positively associated with informal helping only. Classroom civic learning opportunities were positively associated with volunteering, conventional, and online political behaviors. Family political discussions were positively associated with conventional and online political behaviors. Our study suggests that civic engagement should be understood multidimensionally and that broad and specific ways of conceptualizing ecological assets have merit for understanding different types of youth civic engagement.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 86
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1114526
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Civic engagement is an important marker of thriving among adolescents, and more research is needed that clarifies the ecological assets (positive supports across settings) that foster youth civic engagement. Simultaneously modeling associations between multiple ecological assets and civic behaviors can provide a nuanced view of the way adolescents' ecological assets relate to distinct forms of civic engagement. To advance positive youth development theory, we used a bifactor modeling approach to examine general and specific ecological asset factors in relation to volunteering, conventional political, online political, and informal helping behaviors. In a large ethnically diverse sample of adolescents, the general ecological asset factor was positively associated with informal helping only. Classroom civic learning opportunities were positively associated with volunteering, conventional, and online political behaviors. Family political discussions were positively associated with conventional and online political behaviors. Our study suggests that civic engagement should be understood multidimensionally and that broad and specific ways of conceptualizing ecological assets have merit for understanding different types of youth civic engagement.
ISSN:1088-8691
DOI:10.1080/10888691.2015.1114888