A Longitudinal Study of a Social Justice Orientation Model for Latina/o Students

• In Event: Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: Expanding the Field of Diversity Research in Psychology and Education

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to develop and test a longitudinal model of early school environment predictors of 12thgrade academic/civic outcomes of Latina/o youths based on personal and cultural strengths. A model incorporating a social justice orientation (SJO) (i.e., the motivation to promote fairness, justice, and equality for all) for Latina/o youths (SJOLY) was developed. Research participants were Latina/o students (N = 1,472) sampled from the NELS: 88 and followed through three waves of data collection. The model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicated a good fit of the model to the data. School cultural climate variables predicted SJO, which in turn predicted personal agency and positive academic outcomes. Implications for research and counseling/education are discussed.

Author

• Leyla Perez-Gualdron, University of San Francisco