The Impact of Extracurricular Involvement on Social Responsibility: Mechanisms and Types

• In Event: College Student Behavior, Engagement, and Outcomes

Abstract

Cultivating social responsibility among university students is gaining attention. This study developed and tested a moderated mediating model to investigate the relationship between students' extra-curricular involvement and social responsibility. Through a questionnaire survey of 1,414 students in Shanghai, we found that university students' extra-curricular involvement and social responsibility were positively correlated. Positive psychological capital played a mediating role between the two, and perceived social support positively moderated the mediation effect of positive psychological capital. Using K-means clustering analysis in machine learning, this study explored different types of extra-curricular involvement and their varying impact on shaping students' characters. The study's findings have implications for enhancing the design of extra-curricular activities in universities to foster the development of social responsibility among students.

Authors

• Yaxuan Liu, East China Normal University

• Wen Shao, East China Normal University