The effects of political socialization agents on Pakistani youths political participation

Political participation has been in the forefront of academic and non-academic research. Previous studies have shown that there are a number of socialization agents which are responsible for the low political participation among youths. Besides, few studies have also suggested factors, such as, informational media use, interpersonal communication and political knowledge, as the determinants of political participation. However, previous studies have not been emphatic on the connection between socialization agents, political knowledge in terms of factual political knowledge and other communication-related variables in enhancing political participation. Driven by the Situated Learning Theory (SLT) and the Communication Mediation Model (CMM), this study examines the effects of political socialization agents on media and political participation of Pakistani youth. This study also examines the mediating effects of Interpersonal Communication (IC) and Political Knowledge (PK). Using a quantitative method,
the hypotheses developed in this study were tested with the data collected through a cross-sectional survey of 228 university students in Pakistan. The data collected using a self-administered questionnaire was analyzed using the Structural Equation Method (SEM). The findings reveal that Family Communicative Environment (FCE), Classroom Activities (CA) and Peer Norms (PN) significantly influence Informational Media Use (IMU) and Political Participation (PP). In addition, IMU significantly influences PK through IC. Similarly, IMU significantly influences PP through IC. Additionally, PK has no significant direct and indirect effects on PP. This study theoretically contributes by highlighting the importance of IMU and IC to increase PP among youths. Practically, this study contributes by providing insights for governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to invest more in political socialization agents. Also, political stakeholders must use the media and IC means efficiently for disseminating political information to increase PP of youth in Pakistan.