Abstract
Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an approach that promotes resilience and focuses on youth strengths rather than their weaknesses as done by the traditional deficit-based perspective. Research in Europe and North America show that developmental assets are associated with school success, psychological well-being, and lower health risks among youth and young adults. However, not much research has been done on these associations in Latin American contexts. The purpose of this research study is to assess the association between substance use behaviors, such as drunkenness and the use of illicit drugs, and mental health, together with the mediating role of developmental assets representing youth strengths (e.g., social competence) and contextual resources (e.g., social support at home or school). Cross-national data was collected from Colombian (n = 210; 70.4% females) and Peruvian (n = 349; 66.5% females) 1st year university students. Results shed light on the protective role of developmental assets regarding substance use behaviors and mental well-being. Specifically, the results showed direct negative associations between developmental assets and substance use behaviors and positive associations of developmental assets with mental health indicators. Internal assets appear to be a stronger predictor of social, emotional, and psychological well-being compared to external assets. We did not find any statistical significance in the association of substance use behavior and mental health. We discuss implications regarding research, policy, and practice.
Highlights
Positive Youth Development (PYD), a conceptualization that emerged in the 1990’s, is a strength-based perspective, which focuses on the potential of youth and young adults (Larson, 2000; Damon, 2004; Lerner, 2017)
While the deficit model draws attention to the weaknesses and risk-taking behaviors of young people and the associated personal and societal consequences, PYD paints a picture of adolescence being a stage of great plasticity and developmental potential, as long as youth and young adults are provided with opportunities and healthy relationships in their immediate environment
The purpose of this research study was to assess the association between substance use behaviors, such as drunkenness and the use of illicit drugs and mental health, together with possible mediating role of developmental assets among young college students living in Colombia and Peru
Summary
Positive Youth Development (PYD), a conceptualization that emerged in the 1990’s, is a strength-based perspective, which focuses on the potential of youth and young adults (Larson, 2000; Damon, 2004; Lerner, 2017). This positive perspective supersedes the traditional problem-centered model, which provides an unfavorable image of adolescents as mainly characterized by mood disruptions, conflicts with parents, and risk behaviors (Buchanan et al, 1992; Offer and Schonert-Reichl, 1992). PYD adopts a perspective that focuses on thriving, well-being, and the competences needed to succeed in social, academic, and professional life
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