Psychological values as protective factors against sexist attitudes in preadolescents.

BACKGROUND Sexist attitudes are one of the factors that justify domestic violence. Positive psychology can provide keys to prevent sexist violence at an early age. Psychological values are a group of psychological strengths in a person's development. They provide important clues for the prevention of gender-based violence. METHOD This study presents an assessment of two groups of variables, sexist attitudes and beliefs and psychological values, in a sample of 449 (213 boys and 236 girls) preadolescents from various schools (mean age: 12). We analyze the relationship between these variables. We used the Values in Action Inventory (VIA-Y), the Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Diversity and Violence (CADV) and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). RESULTS The results show that sexism variables are related to each other and negatively to the psychological values in boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS We discuss the importance of prevention programs being appropriately developed and, probably, different programs for each sex.