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Unequal Grounds: The Fragile link between Adolescents’ growth mindset and academic achievement amid neighborhood inequality

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  • Jung, Hoyong

Abstract

Since the early 2020 s, rising residential housing prices in Seoul, South Korea, have intensified wealth inequality even within districts, shaping adolescents’ growth mindset, understood as the belief that success can be achieved through effort and the development of ability. This study investigates the relationship between growth mindset and academic achievement in the context of neighborhood inequality. Using multilevel regression analyses with data from the 2020 Seoul Education Longitudinal Study, the results show that growth mindset is positively associated with academic achievement. Importantly, however, this positive effect is significantly weaker in areas characterized by greater disparities in housing values, suggesting that neighborhood inequality can diminish the benefits of a growth mindset. These findings indicate that, particularly in neighborhoods with higher levels of inequality, careful policy consideration may be required to address the potential negative implications for adolescents’ psychological and academic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Jung, Hoyong, 2025. "Unequal Grounds: The Fragile link between Adolescents’ growth mindset and academic achievement amid neighborhood inequality," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:179:y:2025:i:c:s019074092500533x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108650
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