Civic engagement and persistence among Chinese teenagers: The mediating effect of peer relationships and growth mindset

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Sunday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Youth Identity Development and Social Relationships

Abstract

Based on data from the OECD SSES in China, this study examines how civic engagement contributes to adolescents’ persistence and explores the mediating roles of peer relationships and growth mindset. Findings show that civic participation not only directly enhances persistence but also indirectly promotes it via improved peer support and stronger growth mindset. Specifically, volunteer service affects persistence primarily through peer networks, while environmental activities influence it through cognitive transformation. These results highlight the differentiated mechanisms linking civic engagement and persistence, and suggest that optimizing its impact requires building supportive peer networks, cultivating growth mindset, and designing tiered, context-specific engagement programs—offering a practical pathway to promote non-cognitive skill development among youth.

Authors

• Qianyu Zhou, East China Normal University

• Hong Zhang, East China Normal University

• Hanwei Tang, East China Normal University

• Peng Wenqi, East China Normal University