Adolescent self-rejection and adult social action: A conditional relationship

Objective. Theoretically informed models of the relationship between stigma tized personal identities and participation in collective social action are tested. Methods. Data from a longitudinal study of participants (N= 4,169) followed between adolescence and the fourth decade of life are used to est imate structural equation models. Results. The data support hypotheses that perceived rejection during adolescence anticipates participation in social action under conditions when respondents reported during adolescence (1) t hat many of the kids at school participated in social movements (p < .10) a nd (2) that they perceived themselves as having personal control over adver se outcomes (P < .05), but not under mutually exclusive conditions. In all models, gender, mother's education, and minority status were specified as c ontrol variables. Conclusion. Early experiences of rejection and failure di spose people to engage in collective social action if they perceive social support for such action and anticipate that action will be effective.