Values and value-related responses in early adolescence: evidence from two large student surveys in Malta

Early adolescence is an important period for value development, yet large-scale values research has focused mainly on adults or older adolescents. Evidence concerning younger adolescents, particularly in small-state contexts, remains limited.

This study examined item-level patterns of value endorsement and related responses by Year 7 and Year 8 students in Malta. It also explored differences by gender, school sector, country of birth and religious affiliation.

Two age-appropriate cross-sectional surveys were completed by 718 Year 7 students and 615 Year 8 students through voluntary, school-mediated samples. Responses were analyzed at item level using descriptive and exploratory inferential analyses, with effect sizes used to assess the magnitude of subgroup differences.

Value-importance and normative-attitude items generally elicited strong support for prosocial principles. Responses were more varied on some self-reported behavior and scenario-based items, particularly those concerning admitting mistakes, challenging unfair treatment and responding to online harm. Gender was the most consistent subgroup correlate, although reported effects were small or very small and response distributions overlapped substantially.

The findings describe favorable responses to many prosocial principles among the participating students and identify contexts in which reported action or intended action was less uniform. They do not establish nationally representative prevalence, equivalent latent value structures across demographic groups, or a direct relationship between values and observed behavior.