Sociodemographic characteristics and value orientations in adolescence

Abstract

This paper analyses the value orientations of 437 grammar and vocational school students (243 female; 55.6%), and examines gender and age effects on their value orientations. The study included mid-adolescents (9th to 11th grade) and late adolescents (12th grade). The participants’ age ranged from 14 to 19 (M = 2.32, SD = 1.16). A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic and materialistic, traditional and humanistic value orientation questions was implemented, with satisfactory internal consistence reliability. The theoretical analysis outlines present research problems in defining values. Empirical research results show significant differences between students in terms of materialistic, traditional and humanistic value orientations. Students from grammar schools ascribed a higher degree of importance to materialistic values as opposed to students from vocational schools. Age was not significant concerning materialistic and humanistic values, but was significant for traditional values, as younger adolescent nurture traditional values more in relation to older participants. Gender was significant for materialistic, traditional and humanistic values, as male students assigned higher importance to materialistic values as opposed to female participants.