Socioeconomic origin, future expectations, and educational achievement: A longitudinal three-generation study of the persistence of family advantage.

Abstract

Expectations about the future direct effort in goal-oriented action and may influence a range of life course outcomes, including educational attainment. Here we investigate whether such expectations are implicated in the dynamics underlying the persistence of educational advantage across family generations, and whether such dynamics have changed in recent decades in view of historical change. Focusing on the role of domain-specific (educational) and general (optimism and control) expectations, we examine parallels across parent-child cohorts in (1) the relationships between parental socioeconomic status and children's future expectations and (2) the associations between children's future expectations and their academic achievement. We estimate structural equation models using data from the prospective multigenerational Youth Development Study (N = 422 three-generation triads [G1-G2-G3]; G1 mean age in 1988 = 41.

Agency and subjective health from early adulthood to mid-life: evidence from the prospective Youth Development Study

“…Foremost among these are variables reflecting family background. For example, parental educational attainment predicts adolescent mastery [49]. Other key agentic orientations, i.e., the self-concept of ability [50] and optimism [49,51] are found to be similar among parents and children, both measured during adolescence.…”

“…For example, parental educational attainment predicts adolescent mastery [49]. Other key agentic orientations, i.e., the self-concept of ability [50] and optimism [49,51] are found to be similar among parents and children, both measured during adolescence. Agentic psychological resources may "run in families," due to genetic proclivities [52], styles of family problem-solving [53], role modelling and other socialization processes [49,54].…”

Peer Academic Supports for Success (PASS) for College Students with Mental Illness: Open Trial

“…A bachelor’s degree also affords disproportionate protection during economic downturns [ 2 ]. Parents from different socioeconomic and racial groups alike hope that their children will attain college degrees (e.g., [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]). Parent financial contributions towards their children’s college education are currently the largest source of students’ college funding in the U.S., surpassing scholarships, grants, and student loans [ 7 ].…”

“…Rates of mental health conditions among 4-year college students are high [ 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], their dropout rates are high [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], among the highest of any disability groups [ 16 ], and debt accrual is common [ 17 ]. Secondary students with mental health disabilities have the lowest grade performance of any disability group [ 16 ].…”

From economic crisis and climate change through COVID-19 pandemic to Ukraine war: a cumulative hit-wave on adolescent future thinking and mental well-being

“…Although individual factors and familial determinants deeply influence adolescent future thinking [ 6 ], epochal contingencies play a crucial role in shaping the way future societal scenarios and related potential individual achievements are envisioned. In this respect, the contemporary global outlook in which adolescents project their future has been rather grim and uncertain.…”