Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal
Vol-03, Issue-3 (Jul-Sep 2025)
An International scholarly/ academic journal, peer-reviewed/ refereed journal, ISSN : 2960-0006
The intersection of social identity, normative influence, and political efficacy: A literature review of Cambodian youth in national elections
Huot, Sovanna
University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9140
Page Numbers: 81–101
Subject: Political Sociology / Youth Studies / Political Science
Received: May 20, 202
Accepted: June 15, 2025
Published: July 01, 2025
Thematic Classification: Social Identity, Normative Influence, Political Efficacy, Cambodian Youth, National Elections, Literature Review.
Abstract
This conceptual review examines how social identity and normative influence intersect with political efficacy to shape Cambodian youth’s engagement in national elections. Drawing from social psychology and political science, the paper explores how group affiliations, such as ethnic, political, and generational identities, interact with normative pressures from families, peers, and communities to influence both internal efficacy, confidence in understanding politics, and external efficacy, belief in institutional responsiveness. The findings indicate that youth embedded in politically active networks or aligned with activist movements exhibit stronger political efficacy and greater engagement, while those in disengaged environments often show apathy and reduced participation. These insights carry critical implications for Cambodia’s democratic trajectory. Fostering youth political participation requires more than information, it demands the cultivation of collective democratic identities and supportive social norms. Civic education must engage families and local communities, while youth organizations should leverage peer influence and digital platforms to foster inclusive, participatory spaces. Future research should include longitudinal studies to examine how political efficacy evolves over time, comparative analyses across Southeast Asia, and focused inquiries into rural–urban disparities and the role of online political communities. Ultimately, this review offers a framework for understanding and enhancing youth political engagement in Cambodia, contributing to broader efforts to sustain democratic development in post-authoritarian societies.
Keywords: Social identity, normative influence, political efficacy, youth political engagement, Cambodia, political behaviours
Impact Statement
This literature review highlights how the interplay of social identity, normative influence, and political efficacy shapes the electoral behavior of Cambodian youth. By synthesizing existing research, it reveals that youth’s sense of belonging to specific social groups (social identity), their susceptibility to peer and community pressure (normative influence), and their belief in their ability to effect change (political efficacy) are critical factors in their participation in national elections. The findings underscore the need for targeted civic education programs and political engagement initiatives that acknowledge these dynamics to foster more meaningful and informed youth participation in Cambodia’s democratic process. This review, therefore, provides a valuable framework for policymakers, educators, and civil society organizations seeking to empower young voters and strengthen democratic institutions in Cambodia.
About Author
Sovanna HUOT, Sovanna HUOT is a certified English teacher and currently serves as Vice Principal at a government-recognized high school in Cambodia. He completed a two-year teacher training program (2010–2012) and holds bachelor’s degrees in English and Educational Administration. He earned master’s degrees in law and TEFL with scholarships, followed by a Master of Education in School Leadership, specialized in Professional Degree of Upper Secondary School Principal from the National Institute of Education (2021), Phnom Penh, Capital City of Kingdom of Cambodia. In 2022, he was awarded an ICCR scholarship to pursue a PhD in Political Science at University of Delhi, India. His research focuses on innovative education and technology integration within glonacal contexts.
Cite this Article
APA 7th Edition: Huot, S. (2025). The intersection of social identity, normative influence, and political efficacy: A literature review of Cambodian youth in national elections. Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 3(3), 81–101. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9140
MLA 9th Edition: Huot, Sovanna. “The Intersection of Social Identity, Normative Influence, and Political Efficacy: A Literature Review of Cambodian Youth in National Elections.” Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, 2025, pp. 81-101. doi:10.59231/edumania/9140.
Chicago 17th Edition: Huot, Sovanna. 2025. “The Intersection of Social Identity, Normative Influence, and Political Efficacy: A Literature Review of Cambodian Youth in National Elections.” Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal 3, no. 3: 81–101. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9140.
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Peer-Review Method: This article underwent a double-blind peer-review process by two independent external reviewers with expertise in Political Behavior and Southeast Asian Studies. This ensures the scholarly quality and theoretical depth of the literature synthesis.
Competing Interests: The author, Sovanna Huot, declares no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that could have influenced the thematic review or the analysis of youth political engagement.
Funding: This work was conducted as a scholarly research project at the University of Delhi, New Delhi, India. No external funding was received for this literature review.
Data Availability: This study is a literature review based on existing secondary data and academic publications. The list of reviewed literature and the thematic analysis framework are available from the author on reasonable request.
Licence: The intersection of social identity, normative influence, and political efficacy: A literature review of Cambodian youth in national elections © 2025 by Sovanna Huot is licensed under CC BY 4.0. This work is published by the International Council for Education Research and Training (ICERT).
Ethics Approval: This research was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of University of Delhi, New Delhi, India. The study design prioritizes academic integrity and adheres to the ethical guidelines for qualitative and secondary research analysis.
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