Family socioeconomic status and youth leadership potential: Serial mediating effects of parental rearing behaviors and youth self-esteem

To understand the origins of "the seeds of leadership", the present study explored the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and youth leadership potential. Specifically, we proposed and tested a path model illustrating the mediating effects of parental rearing behaviors and youth self-esteem on the link between family SES and youth leadership potential. In total, 692 Chinese middle school students (316 male and 376 female) from the seventh to ninth grades (aged approximately 12-15 years old) completed measures of family SES, parental rearing behaviors, youth self-esteem, and youth leadership potential. The results fully supported the proposed serial mediation model. Family SES was indirectly related to youth leadership potential via two kinds of parental rearing behaviors (warmth and rejection) followed by youth self-esteem. The serial mediation model obtained in this study sheds light on the origins of leadership potential and benefits the design of youth leadership interventions. The theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are discussed.