A Test of the Economic Strain Model on Adolescents’ Prosocial Behaviors

Keywords

economic strain, adolescent, prosocial behavior

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine the links between economic strain, parental depression, parent – child connectedness, and adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. The sample consisted of 478 participants (M age at Time 1 5 11.29 years, 51% male) recruited from the community who were mostly of European American descent (69%) and from mostly middle to upper SES families. At Time 1 parents completed measures of their own income and economic stress, depression, and connectedness with their child. At Time 1 adolescents reported on connectedness with both their mother and father. At Time 2 (1 year later) adolescents reported on their own prosocial behavior toward strangers, friends, and family. Structural equation model tests showed that economic strain was related positively to parental depressive symptoms, which in turn predicted lower levels of parent – child connectedness, which in turn positively predicted adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. Discussion focuses on the family context of adolescents’ positive behavioral outcomes.

Original Publication Citation

Carlo, G., Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Day, R. D. (2011). A test of the economic strain model on adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21, 842-848.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2011-05-18

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7735

Publisher

Journal of Research on Adolescence

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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