Counterbalancing the narrative of youth as either helpless victims or ruthless perpetrators, a new generation of research in conflict settings focuses on their peacebuilding potential, including constructs such as prosocial behaviors and civic engagement. This paper prospectively examines trajectories of adolescent prosocial behaviors (N= 999; Time 1: M=12.18, SD=1.82, overall range 10–20 years old) over six consecutive years in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A dual change model found an initial shallow decrease in prosocial behaviors that dropped more sharply in later adolescence. Exposure to sectarianism related to an accelerated decrease in prosocial behaviors. Trajectories of prosocial behaviors positively related to later social and political engagement. Intervention implications address how to promote youth prosocial behaviors and civic engagement amid protracted political conflict.
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