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Materialism, Egocentrism and Delinquent Behavior in Chinese Adolescents in Mainland China: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study

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  • Daniel T. L. Shek

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China)

  • Diya Dou

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China)

  • Xiaoqin Zhu

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China)

  • Xiang Li

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China)

  • Lindan Tan

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China)

Abstract

Although research generally showed that holding materialistic beliefs would lead to poor developmental outcomes, few studies have used adolescent delinquency as an outcome measure. In addition, the intervening processes between materialism and adolescent developmental outcomes are unclear. In particular, it is not clear how materialistic beliefs influence egocentrism and adolescent delinquency. Methodologically, the existing studies have several weaknesses, including small samples, cross-sectional research designs, and being limited to people living in Western cultures. Using two waves of data collected from Sichuan, China (N = 4981), we studied the predictive effect of adolescent materialism on delinquency and the mediating role of egocentrism. Over two occasions separated by six months, students aged 11 and above responded to a questionnaire evaluating adolescent materialism, egocentrism, and delinquency (mean Wave 1 age = 13.15, range between 11 and 20.38). Results of multiple regression analyses suggested that materialism at Time 1 positively predicted Time 2 egocentrism. Additionally, Time 1 materialism positively predicted the level and change in Time 2 delinquency. Finally, based on 5000 bootstrap samples with gender, age, ethnic group, and Time 1 delinquent behavior as covariates, PROCESS analyses showed that egocentrism partially mediated the influence of Time 1 materialism delinquency and its change at Time 2. This study suggests that materialistic beliefs shape egocentrism, which further strengthens adolescent delinquent behavior. This study also replicates the findings of a pioneer study in China reported previously.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel T. L. Shek & Diya Dou & Xiaoqin Zhu & Xiang Li & Lindan Tan, 2022. "Materialism, Egocentrism and Delinquent Behavior in Chinese Adolescents in Mainland China: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4912-:d:796331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel T. L. Shek & Xiaoqin Zhu, 2019. "Paternal and Maternal Influence on Delinquency among Early Adolescents in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-24, April.
    2. Stefano Pace, 2013. "Does Religion Affect the Materialism of Consumers? An Empirical Investigation of Buddhist Ethics and the Resistance of the Self," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 112(1), pages 25-46, January.
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    5. Diya Dou & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "Concurrent and Longitudinal Relationships between Positive Youth Development Attributes and Adolescent Internet Addiction Symptoms in Chinese Mainland High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Huesmann, L. Rowell & Boxer, Paul & Dubow, Eric F. & Smith, Cathy, 2019. "Anxiety, depression, and offending in the Columbia County longitudinal study: A prospective analysis from late adolescence to middle adulthood," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 35-41.
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    8. Zhu, Xiaoqin & Shek, Daniel T.L., 2020. "Impact of a positive youth development program on junior high school students in mainland China: A pioneer study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Tan Lei Shek & Kim Hung Leung & Diya Dou & Xiaoqin Zhu, 2022. "Impact of Family Functioning on Adolescent Materialism and Egocentrism in Mainland China: Positive Youth Development Attributes as a Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-20, September.

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