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Publication
Influence of news media use and political discussions on social self-efficacy through sense of unity: An analysis of mediation model invariance with Spanish and Portuguese adolescents
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Discussing sociopolitical issues with family or friends during adolescence, as well as staying informed through media outlets,
is key to developing active civic engagement for both youth and future adults. Likewise, these communicative exchanges
promote a sense of belonging and social skills which foster adolescents’ wellbeing. This research aims to analyze the infuence of participation in communication about political and social issues on adolescents’ social self-efcacy, both directly and
as well as indirectly through sense of unity, in two Mediterranean countries (Portugal and Spain). The sample was selected
through random multistage sampling by conglomerates. The 36,992 adolescents (50.6% girls and 49.4% boys) participated in
the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Portugal and Spain, and the age groups were distributed as
following: 39.6% 13–14-years-old; 35.8% 15–16-years-old; and 25.6% 17–18-years-old. Analyses showed positive associations between the proposed indicator of civic engagement –news media use and political discussions– and social self-efcacy,
both directly as well as through sense of unity, with similar results for adolescents in Portugal and Spain. Accordingly, educational programs promoting communication about sociopolitical issues could foster adolescents’ sense of unity and social
skills, contributing to their positive development, wellbeing, and civic engagement. Curricular materials on current politics
and social afairs could increase classroom dialogue based on respect, healthy peer relationships, and sense of belonging,
fostering efective political socialization amongst youth and the development of democratic behaviors benefcial to society
Description
Keywords
Adolescents Sociopolitical communication News media use Social self-efcacy Sense of unity
Citation
Salado, V., Rivera, F., Gaspar, T., Moreno-Maldonado, C., & de Matos, M. G. (2024). Influence of news media use and political discussions on social self-efficacy through sense of unity: an analysis of mediation model invariance with Spanish and Portuguese adolescents. Current Psychology, 43(10), 9390–9403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04940-3
Publisher
Springer New York