Influence of Political Socialization Agents on Pakistani Youth’s Political Participation: The Mediating Role of Media and Interpersonal Communication

Abstract

Apathetic and disconnected from the political world, these are just two of the titles scientists, journalists and politicians have been attributing to youth. Hence, what factors weaken or encourage youth to participate in politics is forefront in academic and non-academic researches. Hence, in view of this context, the role of political socialization agents in engendering political activities among youth cannot be overstated. However, not much research is being carried out in this area. Thus, this study assessed the influence of family communicative environment and peer norms as political socialization agents on media and political participation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on social sciences students of Pakistani universities. Questionnaire ( 228) was used to collect data which were analyzed by using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that among other political socialization agents, peer norms was found to be more significant for youth's media consumption and political behavior. In particular, results revealed that information consumption through traditional newspaper; TV and online newspaper led to political participation, centering political expression via interpersonal communication. Moreover, interpersonal communication is found to have direct influence on Pakistani youths political participation. This study provides an empirical justification for the potential of peer group as agent of political socialization for enhancing political activities among youth in Pakistan.

Multiplatform News Consumption and Political Participation: Testing O-S-R-O-R Model

“…The results showed that politically like-minded and dissimilar discussions play a significant mediating role between new media use and political participation. Similarly, Memon, Ishak, and Hamid (2018) argued that media influences political participation via interpersonal communication. The study of Xiaoming, Nainan, and George (2014) suggested the positive mediating role of political efficacy between online news and offline/online political participation.…”

Skala Psikometrik: Perspektif Kawalan Sosial Tidak Formal dan Pengukuhan Nilai Integriti Golongan Muda (Psychometric Scale: A Perspective of Informal Social Control and Strengthening the Integrity Value of Young People)

“…Keluarga yang menggalakkan perkongsian idea dan emosi, meningkatkan tahap keterikatan golongan muda dengan keluarga (Memon, Ishak & Hamid, 2018). Fungsi keluarga dalam membantu golongan muda menyelesaikan masalah, membuat keputusan dan berkongsi emosi dijangka mengurangkan kecenderungan golongan muda mencari penyelesaian di luar rumah, di mana ini membuka ruang tindakan tidak berintegriti.…”

Peers Influence on Youth Political Behavior: A Systematic Review

“…They have the capacity to exert a substantial impact on political stability. Youths who are empowered and politically literate can serve as catalysts for positive change, ensuring the responsiveness of democratic systems (Memon, 2018). Scholars and practitioners currently lack a thorough understanding of factors of peers' influence on youth political behavior.…”