Citation

Davis AN, Luce H, Davalos N. J. Genet. Psychol. 2018; 179(4): 183-197.

Affiliation

a Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00221325.2018.1468314

PMID

29799348

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to examine the links between life events and adolescents' social behaviors (prosocial and aggressive behaviors) toward specific targets and to examine how empathic concern may play a role in these associations. The study examined two hypotheses: both the mediating role of empathic concern and the moderating role of empathic concern. The sample included 311 high school students from the Midwest (M age = 16.10 years; age range = 14-19 years; 58.7% girls; 82.7% White, 13.6% Latino). The results demonstrated support for the moderation model as well as complex links between life events and prosocial and aggressive behaviors toward specific targets. The discussion focuses on the role of empathic concern in understanding how life events are ultimately associated with adolescents' social development.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescence; aggressive behaviors; empathy; life events; prosocial behaviors