ERIC Number: EJ1232559
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1543-1223
EISSN: N/A
Early Adolescent Purpose Development and Perceived Supports for Purpose at School
Malin, Heather; Liauw, Indrawati; Remington, Kathleen
Journal of Character Education, v15 n2 p1-20 p1- 2019
Purpose is an important aspect of character development and thriving in adolescence; yet, there is little research explaining how it develops or how contexts such as school can support its development. In this study, 1,304 eighth graders completed a survey that measured purpose as the integration of 2 dimensions-- beyond-the-self life goal selection and beyond-the-self life goal commitment--and asked respondents to indicate whether aspects of the school context supported their life goals. Respondents then completed the survey 2 more times at 6-month intervals to assess change in the dimensions of purpose over time. No changes in beyond-the-self goal selection or commitment were found over the duration of the study. School supports significantly predicted beyond-the-self life goal commitment, but not selection of beyond-the-self goals. Additional results suggest that there is a relationship between school context and purpose development in early adolescence, indicating the need for further research.
Descriptors: Personality, Educational Environment, Grade 8, Student Attitudes, Self Concept, Goal Orientation, Prediction, Attitude Change, Ethics, Intervention, Teaching Methods, Values Education, Longitudinal Studies, Middle School Students, Public Schools, Charter Schools, Assignments, Teacher Student Relationship, Extracurricular Activities, Role Models, Attitude Measures, Futures (of Society)
IAP - Information Age Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 79049, Charlotte, NC 28271-7047. Tel: 704-752-9125; Fax: 704-752-9113; e-mail: infoage@infoagepub.com; Web site: https://www.infoagepub.com/journal-of-character-education.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 8; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania; Idaho; California; Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A