Positive Youth Development of University Students and Related Outcomes: Role of Social Responsibility and Moral Disengagement

Abstract

Youth is the most significant part of any society because it defines the character and future of a society. This study explored the impact of Positive Youth Development on civic engagement and violent extremism beliefs in youth. Mediational pathways have been studied using two different mediators, which are social responsibility and moral disengagement. The role of several demographics with stud variables was also explored. Instruments administered in the study comprised of demographic sheet, Positive Youth Development scale (PYD) (Arnold et al., 2012), Youth Involvement Inventory (YII) (Pancer et al., 2007), Moral Disengagement scale (Bandura et al., 1996) translated by Haleem (2020), Social Responsibility scale (Pancer et al., 2007), Violent Extremism Beliefs scale Haleem (2020). This research was divided into two studies. Objective of study I was adaptation and validation of youth involvement inventory. The scale was adapted by following the adaption guidelines of Brislin (1980). The adapted instrument was validated through CFA (N = 100). Results showed that the instrument is culturally relevant to be used. Study II consisted of two phases. Phase-I was the pilot study (N=100) to check the psychometric properties of the instrument. The results indicated good reliability of instruments and the direction of the relationship of study variables as assumed. Given the satisfactory results of the pilot study, Phase II (main study) was conducted to check the hypotheses on sample of 500 university students (men = 148, women = 352) with an age ranging from 18 to 29 years (M = 18.7, SD = 1.51). Findings revealed that positive youth development significantly and negatively affect violent extremism while it appeared to be a positive predictor for civic engagement. Social responsibility and moral disengagement mediated the relationship between positive youth development and violent extremism beliefs. Moral disengagement also mediated the relationship between positive youth development and civic engagement. Men scored higher on positive youth development, civic engagement, and moral disengagement as compared to women. Findings can be used in developing positive youth development programs to accurately capture the full potential of all young people so they may learn and thrive in diverse settings.