Parental Involvement and Peer Support as Predictors of Prosocial Behavior Among Public Junior High School Students

This study aimed to determine the influence of parental involvement and peer support on the prosocial behavior of public junior high school students in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Region X. Specifically, it examined the levels of parental involvement, peer support, and prosocial behavior, as well as the relationships and predictive influence among these variables. A quantitative research design employing the descriptive-correlational method was utilized to analyze naturally occurring relationships without manipulation of variables. Data were gathered from junior high school students using adapted, validated, and pilot-tested survey instruments designed to measure parental involvement, peer support, and prosocial behavior. Statistical analyses included mean and standard deviation to determine the level of each variable, Pearson product–moment correlation to examine the relationships among variables, and multiple regression analysis to identify significant predictors of prosocial behavior. Results revealed that parental involvement, peer support, and prosocial behavior were consistently rated at a high level, indicating that these constructs are frequently experienced, manifested, and observed among junior high school students. Correlation analysis showed that both parental involvement and peer support had significant positive relationships with prosocial behavior, with peer support demonstrating a stronger association. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed that peer support emerged as a significant predictor of prosocial behavior, while parental involvement did not register a significant unique predictive influence when analyzed concurrently with peer support. These findings suggest that although parental involvement remains positively associated with adolescents’ prosocial behavior, peer relationships exert a more substantial and direct influence on the development of prosocial tendencies among junior high school students. The results underscore the importance of strengthening peer-based support structures in promoting prosocial behavior during adolescence.