Bonding Social Capital Influence on Rural Youth Academic Motivation and Postsecondary Readiness (Poster 1)

• In Event: Social Capital and Social Networks in Education

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of bonding social capital (peer relationships), internalized, and externalized behavior, on the academic motivation and college/career readiness of rural youth using multilevel mediating path analysis. Results indicate positive peer relationships are significantly associated with academic motivation and college/career readiness and a strong association between positive peer relationships, academic motivation, and college/career readiness mediated by externalized behavior. Results make unique contributions to the understanding of the path of influence youth social capital takes to impact behavior and educational attainment. Implications for school practices and interventions focused on climate and culture that may support and foster prosocial youth relationships and social capital development within rural communities, ultimately impacting youth educational attainment, are discussed.

Author

• Peter N. Knox, University of Vermont