The Mediational Role of Values in Linking Personality Traits to Civic Engagement in Italian Youth

Abstract

In recent decades, given new forms of political participation, the involvement of young people in the civic domain begins to be a focus of many studies. The present study examined the role of personality traits and personal values in the prediction of civic engagement (CE) in Italian youth ranging in age from 19 to 29 years old involved in an ongoing longitudinal study. The multidimensionality of a scale tapping CE has been demonstrated with the examination of confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling corroborated a mediational model in which benevolence fully mediated the relationship of the traits of agreeableness and openness with civic associationism, whereas power fully mediated the relationship of the traits of agreeableness and openness with political associationism. In this mediational model men reported higher levels of power than women, whereas women reported higher levels of agreeableness and openness traits. Since basic personal traits have been identified as the root of any behavioral tendency and values have been recognized as the more flexible and changeable variables, future interventions aimed to foster CE in youth could be designed considering the strength relationship between the examined dimensions in the present study.

When guiding principles do not guide: The moderating effects of cultural tightness on value‐behavior links

“…Civic involvement may take many forms such as active membership in various nonprofit organizations, volunteering, participation in community programs, and other actions aiming to promote the welfare of people and the community (e.g., Omoto, Snyder, & Hackett, 2010). Past research has found that civic involvement was positively associated with self‐transcendence values (e.g., Luengo Kanacri, Rosa, & Di Giunta, 2012; Radkiewicz, De Zavala, & Skarżyńska, 2008). Self‐transcendence expresses the motivation for concern and care for others (Schwartz, 1992).…”

“…It is, therefore, consistent with actions aimed at promoting the quality of life in a community and protecting the interests of social groups. Accordingly, research has found that endorsing self‐transcendence values was positively associated with being members in various associations (e.g., Luengo Kanacri et al, 2012) and contributing to prosocial organizations (e.g., Arieli et al, 2014).…”

Trajectories of prosocial behaviors conducive to civic outcomes during the transition to adulthood: The predictive role of family dynamics☆

“…Zaff, Moore, Papillo, and Williams (2003) suggested that youths' attitudes and value systems contribute to the consistency of civic engagement over time. Young adults' values, such as benevolence and universalism, would be expected to have a strong relation to prosocial behaviors (e.g., Caprara, Alessandri, & Eisenberg, 2012) and civic engagement (Luengo Kanacri, Rosa, & Di Giunta, 2012). Whereas benevolence is related to concern for the wellbeing of people in close relationships (family, school, neighborhood), universalism is related to behaviors associated with helping people and society as a whole (Schwartz, 2006).…”

Exploring Asian students’ citizenship values and their relationship to civic knowledge and school participation

“…Chung and Probert (2011) highlighted the importance of individual outcome expectations. Kanacri, Rosa, and Di Giunta (2012) indicated the importance of psychological personality measures while Robles-Fernandez (2011) pointed to the importance of students' beliefs. Yet, there is a lack of studies that seek to identify values as an underlying mechanism that might account for civic learning and also provide the basis for civic action.…”