Self-Transcendent Values, Civic Engagement, and Moral Identity in Adolescence

Self-transcendent values and civic engagement have both been linked to moral identity in youth. However, these 2 areas of research have not been adequately integrated, and thus the importance of personal values in the relationship between moral behavior and moral identity has often been neglected. A structural equation model (SEM) was utilized to examine whether civic engagement would mediate the relationship of self-transcendent and self-enhancing values on moral identity among a sample of adolescents from a large urban city. Results confirm the importance of self-transcendent values as a motivating force for prosocial action and the emergence of a moral identity. Contrary to expectations, self-enhancing values were unrelated to civic involvement. Additionally, civic involvement did not significantly predict moral identity.