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Article
Human Rights Attitude and Civic Engagement Behavior Among University Students
Journal of Human Rights and Social Work
  • Ilan Kwon, Park University
  • Jaewon Lee, Inha University
  • Cristy E. Cummings, University of North Florida
  • Daria P. Shamrova, Wichita State University
  • Catherine A. Macomber, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Edita Milanović, Wayne State University
  • Amanda T. Woodward, Park University
  • Anne K. Hughes, Park University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2020
Abstract

Although civic engagement and human rights are critical values in social work education, few empirical studies have explored the association between civic engagement and human rights exposure and attitudes. This study aims to examine the relationship between the exposure to human rights information, human rights attitudes, normative beliefs, and civic engagement behaviors among university students. A total of 214 students at a public university in the Midwest of the United States responded to the study survey. Findings indicate that students with more exposure to human rights issues showed more civic engagement. This relationship between human rights exposure and civic engagement was mediated by students’ attitudes toward human rights, but not moderated by normative beliefs. In addition, students majoring in social work revealed higher civic engagement and more positive attitudes toward human rights issues than those in other disciplines.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1007/s41134-020-00128-y
E-ISSN
23651792
Citation Information
Kwon, I., Lee, J., Cummings, C.E. et al. Human Rights Attitude and Civic Engagement Behavior Among University Students. J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work 5, 174–184 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-020-00128-y