Abstract

Using nationally representative civic education data (n = 4,934), this study looked at variables related to internal political self-efficacy (IPE) in consideration of differences among Hong Kongese (HK), white American, and Asian American middle school students. Results show that IPE and the relevant variables (civic knowledge, trust in media, media use, and discussion with parents and peers) differed by the groups. Discussion with parents was positively related to civic knowledge and IPE in HK and white adolescents, but the opposite was observed for Asian American adolescents. However, discussion with peers was negatively related to adolescents’ civic knowledge in HK and white adolescents but not in Asian American adolescents. Similar to previous literature, media use appeared to differently influence to IPE or knowledge by the groups.