Expectations for Engagement in Community Issues as Perceived by Young People

BACKGROUND: Involvement in constructive activities is an important but rarely empirically studied developmental asset. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the intentions of Polish youth to undertake prosocial activities after graduating from high school, and the selected determinants of these intentions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anonymous surveys were conducted in 213 schools within the last round of the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) survey in 2018. The nationwide representative sample included 4,972 students aged 11.1–18.5 (mean age 15.4 ± 1.73). The main dependent variable was the Expectations for Engagement in Community Issues Index (EECII), built on the basis of 3 questions and ranged 0–12 points. Its relationship with 10 demographic and socio-economic variables was studied. RESULTS: The mean EECII score was 5.59 (SD = 2.65). Seven factors and three significant two-way interactions were indicated in the general linear model. The strongest correlation was found to be between the EECII level and recognised personal values, current participation in youth groups, and the level of social ties in the neighbourhood. Girls achieve higher EECII levels than boys. However, factors such as family social position and attitudes towards school modify the gender differences. Higher family social position measured on subjective scale increases the tendency to plan prosocial activities in the group coming from low affluence families. CONCLUSIONS: Polish youth have an average inclination towards prosocial activities. When planning activities aimed at strengthening the involvement of young people, it is worth considering the specificity of various demographic and social groups.