The present study will aim to extend research on family characteristics and youth prosocial behavior by examining relations between parental warmth and control and prosocial behavior from late childhood to the transition to emerging adulthood (from ages 9 to 20). Mothers, fathers, and their children (N = 104 families) from Rome (Italy) part of an existing longitudinal project will provide data on the transition from late childhood (9-year-old) to emerging adulthood (20-year-old).
Latent growth curve models will use to capture the initial level and the developmental trend of youth¿s prosocial behavior and how parental warmth-control influences the development of prosocial behavior in Italian youths, by controlling for measurement invariance across time. The findings will highlight the role of positive family context, characterized by warm caring relationships in fostering youth¿s positive development from late childhood to the transition to emerging adulthood. The practical implications of this proposed study will be discussed.
The current research proposal is aimed to extend previous literature about the developmental trend of prosocial behavior from late childhood to emerging adulthood, and to shed light on the role of parental warmth and control could play in shaping that trajectory. Identifying contextual determinants (familial) that may promote youths¿ prosocial behavior over time may help to identify the suitable developmental period and the parenting dimensions that can be targeted in intervention programs.
In sum, the findings of this proposed research will extend developmental literature about the role of familiar characteristics on the developmental trend of prosocial behavior, as crucial behavior for positive youth development. Also, findings might provide evidence on the importance of caring relationships within the family as primary resources that set the stage for positive youth development. Behaving prosocially may pave the way for young people to thrive throughout development (Damon, 2004). In addition, enacting helping and caring behaviors within the family context may enhance children¿s development of responsibility for themselves and the welfare of others. Focusing on the promotion of prosocial behaviors not only has the potential to support positive youth development, but also the potential to counteract or redirect negative trajectories of functioning.
Moreover, these findings will be important to inform the development of new family intervention programs aimed at strengthening and promoting best parenting practices that could exert a better functioning during two important youths¿ developmental stages: the transition from late childhood to adolescence, and the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Indeed, this research proposal could offer more information to psychologist that would devote their effort to improve youth¿s well-being.