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Prosocial Behavior and School Performance in the Transition to Adolescence: A Multicultural Study
Flavia Cirimele1, Concetta Pastorelli2, Marc H Bornstein3,4,5
1Department of Culture and Society, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Applied Developmental Science
|August 29, 2025
Summary
Adolescents demonstrating higher prosocial behavior consistently achieve better school performance. This positive link between prosocial behavior and academic success is evident throughout the crucial adolescent transition period.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Studies
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by significant changes in social behavior and academic demands.
- Understanding the interplay between social behaviors and school performance is crucial for supporting adolescent development.
- Previous research has not fully explored the longitudinal, bidirectional relationship between prosocial behavior and school performance across diverse cultural contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional longitudinal associations between prosocial behavior and school performance in adolescents.
- To examine these associations across six diverse countries, offering a multicultural perspective.
- To determine if prosocial behavior predicts future school performance and vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design with three data collection points from ages 10 to 16.
- Sample of 884 adolescents across Colombia, Italy, Jordan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States.
- Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) used for analysis, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- A stable, positive association was found between high prosocial behavior and high school performance over time.
- Increased prosocial behavior predicted higher-than-expected school performance at each measurement point.
- The findings suggest a reciprocal relationship, though the primary directionality indicated prosociality influencing academic outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Prosocial behavior is a significant factor contributing to sustained academic success during adolescence.
- Interventions promoting prosocial behavior may positively impact school performance in multicultural settings.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering social-emotional development in educational contexts.
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