Personal Values as a Mediator Between Parent and Peer Expectations and Adolescent Behaviors

Keywords

parent and peer expectations, personal values, prosocial behaviors

Abstract

The current study examined the mediating role of adolescents’ personal values on the relation between maternal and peer expectations for prosocial behaviors and adolescents’ self reported prosocial and antisocial behaviors. One hundred thirty-four adolescents (mean age 16.22 years, 54% girls) completed measures of their own values and behaviors, as well as their perceptions of the positive expectations that their mother and their best friend(s) had for their (the adolescents’) prosocial behaviors. Stepwise regression analyses suggested that adolescents’ personal prosocial values mediated the relation between adolescents’ perceptions of both maternal and peer expectations and adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. In addition, for boys, perceptions of positive peer expectations were directly and negatively related to antisocial behaviors. The current study has important implications for parents, educators, and practitioners who are concerned about promoting adolescents’ positive behaviors and discouraging negative behaviors.

Original Publication Citation

"Padilla-Walker, L. M. & Carlo, G. (2007). Personal values as a mediator between parent and peer expectations and adolescent behaviors. Journal of Family Psychology, 21, 538- 541. "

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007-09-01

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7724

Publisher

Journal of Family Psychology

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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