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Bidirectional Relationship between Adolescent Gender Egalitarianism and Prosocial Behavior
Xinyuan Fu1, Ruoran Fu1, Yanping Chang1
1Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 22, 2024
Summary
Adolescent gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior are dynamically linked, with each influencing the other over time. These bidirectional associations were observed equally in both boys and girls throughout adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Adolescent Studies
Background:
- Understanding the interplay between social attitudes and behaviors in adolescents is crucial for development.
- Gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior are key constructs in adolescent social development.
- Longitudinal research is needed to clarify the dynamic relationship between these constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional associations between gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior in Chinese adolescents.
- To examine gender differences and longitudinal changes in gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior.
- To explore the moderating effect of gender on the associations between gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study with 543 Chinese adolescents (284 girls, 259 boys) was conducted.
- Data on gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior were collected at three one-year intervals.
- Multi-group cross-lagged panel models were used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Girls reported higher gender egalitarianism than boys.
- Gender differences in prosocial behavior were present in sixth grade but not in seventh or eighth grade.
- Gender egalitarianism predicted prosocial behavior, and prosocial behavior predicted gender egalitarianism, bidirectionally and equally for both genders.
Conclusions:
- Gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior exhibit a reciprocal, dynamic relationship in adolescence.
- This bidirectional influence is consistent across genders, highlighting a shared developmental pathway.
- Findings contribute to understanding adolescent social development and the interplay of attitudes and behaviors.
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