Background: Socioeconomic disparity in academic performance has been observed in previous literature. Growth mindset of intelligence was suggested as a strong predictor of academic resilience. In this study, we investigated whether growth mindset of socioeconomic status (SES) could be transmitted from parents to children, and whether this belief is associated with adolescents’ educational aspiration and confidence in future life.
Method: The data from China Family Panel Studies in 2010 were used. A sample of 917 adolescents (47.5% girls) aged 12 to 14 years and their fathers and mothers reported on growth mindset of socioeconomic status. Structural equation modeling was applied in data analysis.
Results: The results showed that growth mindset of SES was transmitted from both fathers and mothers to their adolescent children. Adolescents holding growth mindset of SES reported higher level of educational aspiration and confidence in the future in comparison with those holding fixed mindset of SES. Mothers’ growth mindset directly affect adolescent children’ academic aspiration, while fathers’ growth mindset indirectly affect adolescent children’ academic aspiration through youth’s own growth mindset.
Conclusion: These results provide evidence on intergenerational transmission of growth mindset of SES. Growth mindset will facilitate adolescents’ positive expectation towards future life and educational attainment.