Associations of critical consciousness and positive youth development among Taiwanese indigenous early adolescents

Abstract This study investigates the longitudinal associations among components of critical consciousness (i.e., perceived inequality, egalitarian beliefs, and critical motivation) and the role of these components within the PYD framework in a sample of Indigenous early adolescents in Taiwan. Each critical consciousness component was examined in association with PYD and, secondarily, as a corroborating outcome, with internalizing symptoms. Ethnic‐racial discrimination was included as a contextual variable to examine its potential adverse effects. A total of 358 adolescents ( M age = 12 years, 48% female) were followed across three waves at 6‐month intervals. The results suggest that, although early components of critical consciousness may not yet show clear interrelated patterns, egalitarian beliefs, and critical motivation were associated with lower levels of internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, PYD may potentially serve as a foundation for the development of critical consciousness. This study offers preliminary empirical support for a social justice‐oriented extension of the PYD framework.