Abstract:

This study employed latent profile analysis to identify subgroups of values among 1,992 adolescents in grades 6-9, and further examined how family background influences these subgroups. The result shows that, first, four subgroups were identified: “Collectivism-Diversity Integrated Group”, “Fairness-Rule Oriented Group”, “Balanced Value Group”, and “Value Identity Indifferent Group”. Second, except for the “Value Identity Indifferent Group”, all subgroups prioritized collectivistic and relational values based on individual effort. Third, there are no significant differences in ethnicity among the subgroups. Girls in the “Fairness-Rule Oriented Group” show a stronger sense of fairness and a relatively weaker sense of collective responsibility. Lower-grade students are more likely to fall into the “Balanced Value Group” and “Value Indifferent Group”. Finally, the influence of family background differs across types. Family socioeconomic status negatively predicted the “Balanced Value Group”; the presence of both parents and authoritative or permissive parenting styles negatively predicted the “Balanced Value Group” and “Fairness-Rule Oriented Group”, while neglectful parenting positively predicted the “Value Indifferent Group”. The findings suggest tailoring interventions based on different adolescent value groups to transform their parents’ parenting styles and providing necessary external support to their families.

Key words: adolescence, values, family background, latent profile analysis