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Enabling relations as determinants of self-satisfaction in the youth: The path from self-satisfaction to prosocial behaviors as explained by strength of inner self

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Abstract

The development of a positive self-concept is crucial for young people to flourish and thrive. Self-satisfaction stemming from a positive self-evaluation is assumed to be partially contingent upon the quality of relationships that the individual has with socialization agents. The ability to view oneself as worthy and valuable has the potential to translate to positive developmental outcomes including a desire to engage in prosocial behaviors. In this study, the association of youth’s enabling relations in different social contexts with their self-satisfaction was examined. Analysis of data from Filipino college youth (N = 1001) suggests that enabling relations within the family, school, peer, and community are factors related to self-satisfaction. Among these, relationships formed in school appeared to have the strongest association with self-satisfaction. Further analysis showed that self-satisfaction has direct effects on prosocial behaviors, and indirect effects through strength of inner self. Implications of the findings especially the importance of helping the youth achieve self-satisfaction are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Dr. Melissa Lopez Reyes for giving her access to the archival data gathered as part of the Youth Development Research Project of the Psychology Department of De La Salle University (DLSU).

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  1. Department of Psychology, De La Salle University Manila, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, 1004, Metro Manila, Philippines

    Patricia Simon

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  1. Patricia Simon
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Correspondence to Patricia Simon.

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The study had been conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association. The archival data analyzed in this study came from a larger dataset as part of the Youth Development Project of De La Salle University, and can be made available from the author upon request.

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The author states that there is no conflict of interest. The author did not receive any form of funding in the writing of this manuscript.

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Simon, P. Enabling relations as determinants of self-satisfaction in the youth: The path from self-satisfaction to prosocial behaviors as explained by strength of inner self. Curr Psychol 39, 656–664 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9791-0

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