Ecological correlates of adolescents' sense of agency: Are there differences for boys and girls?

Abstract

Although the literature recognizes the relevance of sense of agency during adolescence, little is known about which factors can promotes or undermines this belief. Identifying the factors that determine adolescents' sense of agency is a challenging task that must consider influences assessed at both the individual and structural levels for a more comprehensive understanding. Guided by assumptions of the ecological model of human development, this study analyzes the contribution of adolescents' age, cumulative family disadvantage, peer relationships, student-teacher ratio, and school's goal structure to adolescents' sense of agency and explore if these links vary according to their sex. The sample comprised 1189 adolescents (15–18 years) and 18 school heads. Family disadvantage and peer alienation were associated with a lower sense of agency regardless of sex. Trustful peer relationships were linked to a stronger sense of agency for boys. Schools with a high student-teacher ratio and a strong focus on performance can undermine girls' sense of agency. Regardless of sex, adolescents who attended schools with lower performance and higher mastery goals showed a stronger sense of agency than adolescents who attended schools with both low performance and mastery. Findings are discussed based on ecological approach of human agency and attachment theory.