ERIC Number: EJ1144224
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2192-001X
EISSN: N/A
Examining Developmental Transitions in Civic Engagement across Adolescence: Evidence from a National U.S. Sample
Wray-Lake, Laura; Rote, Wendy M.; Benavides, Celina M.; Victorino, Christine
International Journal of Developmental Science, v8 n3-4 p95-104 2014
Describing how much and what type(s) of change are evident in civic engagement across adolescence is a fundamental starting point for advancing developmental theory in the civic domain. Using five annual waves of data from a large national U.S. sample spanning 8th-12th grades, our study describes civic engagement typologies and transitions in and out of typologies across adolescence. Four distinct civic typologies were identified across indicators of civic values, behaviors, and future expectations. Two-thirds of youth demonstrated ipsative continuity, i.e., within-class stability over time. Transitions indicated gradual stepwise change in both upward and downward directions and thus provided only modest support for age-related gains. Our study has the potential to spur theoretical progress regarding civic development by documenting developmental change as a series of transitions that vary across people. Results help to clarify the diverse civic pathways that youth experience across adolescence.
Descriptors: Developmental Stages, Citizen Participation, Social Class, High School Students, Middle School Students, Classification, Values, Student Behavior, Futures (of Society), Age Differences, Adolescent Development, Longitudinal Studies, Case Studies, Student Attitudes, Statistical Analysis, Voting, Leadership, Volunteers, Social Justice, Political Attitudes, Social Values, Student Surveys
IOS Press. Nieuwe Hemweg 6B, Amsterdam, 1013 BG, The Netherlands. Tel: +31-20-688-3355; Fax: +31-20-687-0039; e-mail: info@iospress.nl; Web site: http://www.iospress.nl
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Middle Schools; Junior High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A