¡Votemos! Applying a Social Cognitive Lens to Young Latinx Voter Turnout
Datum
2021-09-13
Autor:innen
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University of Oregon
Zusammenfassung
The voter turnout rate among young Latinx citizens is very low compared to other demographic groups. Low voter turnout has negative impacts upon public policy and low voting behavior is associated with higher rates of depression. Relatively little is known about the influences of likelihood to vote among young Latinxs. Social Cognitive Theory provides insight into factors that influence a variety of behaviors, including voting. In the current study, I applied a social cognitive lens to develop a model of likelihood to vote among Latinx young adults, as well as a model examining the relationship between depression and likelihood to vote. A measure of voting self-efficacy was developed and tested in the current study and utilized in both structural models. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model in a sample of 500 college students, oversampling Latinx students. Results showed support for the voting self-efficacy’s reliability and validity. Self-efficacy was associated with higher endorsement of previous voting behavior and higher likelihood to vote. Results also indicated that the social cognitive model of likelihood to vote did not fit the data well. The second model exploring the relationship between depression, voting self-efficacy, and likelihood to vote did fit the data well. Bootstrapping analyses indicated there was an indirect negative association between depression and likelihood to vote through voting self-efficacy. Findings suggest that voting self-efficacy serves as a useful predictor of likelihood to vote and that improved measurement of voting self-efficacy mechanisms may improve the utility of social cognitive models of likelihood to vote. Voting self-efficacy, as established in the current study, may be a crucial domain through which both likelihood to vote and depression rates may be improved among young Latinxs. The use of a cross-sectional design limits directional and causal inferences. Future research should assess potential demographic differences in the utility of Social Cognitive Theory in examining voting behavior. Study strengths, limitations, and implications for research and practice are discussed.
Beschreibung
Schlagwörter
Depression, Latinx, Self-Efficacy, Voting