TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MEASURE OF SOCIOPOLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS: LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF SALVADORAN YOUTH |
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Authors: | Alison M. Baker Craig C. Brookins |
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Affiliation: | 1. Victoria University;2. North Carolina State University |
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Abstract: | A mixed methods approach was used to explore dimensions of sociopolitical development of youth in El Salvador. Photovoice was used to engage 2 groups of adolescents from a rural village to document and discuss their community. Using previous theory and models of sociopolitical development as a guide, themes were identified to inform the development of a quantitative measure we call sociopolitical consciousness. New and preexisting items were combined to create a measure that reflected the themes from the qualitative data. The resulting measure was completed by 682 Salvadoran high school students across 3 different community contexts; 7 factors were subsequently identified representing both individual and collective dimensions of sociopolitical consciousness. The study demonstrates how a contextualized research process can facilitate a synergy between the emic and etic dimensions of sociopolitical development. |
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