Abstract
The present study aims to develop an integrative model that links neighborhood behavioral opportunities and social resources
(neighborhood cohesion, neighborhood friendship and neighborhood attachment) to prosocial (sharing, helping, empathic) behavior
in early adolescence, taking into account the potential mediating role of perceived support of friends. Path analysis was
used to test the proposed theoretical model in a sample of 1,145 Italian early adolescents (6th through 8th graders). More
perceived opportunities and social resources in the neighborhood are related to higher levels of adolescent prosocial behavior,
and this relationship is partially mediated by perceived social support from friends. The results offer promising implications
for future research and intervention programs that aim to modify social systems to improve child and adolescent social competencies.
(neighborhood cohesion, neighborhood friendship and neighborhood attachment) to prosocial (sharing, helping, empathic) behavior
in early adolescence, taking into account the potential mediating role of perceived support of friends. Path analysis was
used to test the proposed theoretical model in a sample of 1,145 Italian early adolescents (6th through 8th graders). More
perceived opportunities and social resources in the neighborhood are related to higher levels of adolescent prosocial behavior,
and this relationship is partially mediated by perceived social support from friends. The results offer promising implications
for future research and intervention programs that aim to modify social systems to improve child and adolescent social competencies.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-011-9470-x
- Authors
- Michela Lenzi, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Belzoni, 80, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Alessio Vieno, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Belzoni, 80, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Douglas D. Perkins, Center for Community Studies, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Massimiliano Pastore, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Belzoni, 80, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Massimo Santinello, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Belzoni, 80, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Sonia Mazzardis, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Belzoni, 80, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562