Positive Youth Development Scale Research Articles

Effect of Family Functioning on Adolescents' Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behaviors: The Multiple Mediating Roles of Empathy and Emotional Competence

To examine the mediating role of empathy and emotional competence in the association between family functioning and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors among adolescents in China. In this study, we used the data from the June-July 2022 survey of Chengdu Positive Child Development (CPCD) cohort. All respondents were 5th-9th graders from six primary or secondary schools in Chengdu. The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument (C-FAI), the empathy subscale of the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (C-IRI), and the emotional competence (EC) subscale of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale (CPYD) were used to evaluate the respondents' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, family functioning, empathy, and emotional competence, respectively. The average score derived from the total score of a scale divided by the number of entries in each dimension was used as the final score of the scale. Independent samples t-tests or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to examine the differences in family functioning, empathy, emotional competence, and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors across student groups with different demographic characteristics (sex, grade, and region). Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between family functioning, empathy, emotional competence, and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. AMOS 24.0 was used to validate the hypothesized model and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the mediating effects of empathy and emotional competence between family functioning and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors among adolescents. A total of 3026 eligible participants were included, including 1548 (51.16%) male students and 1478 (48.84%) female students. Among the respondents, 798 (26.37%) were 5th graders, 738 (24.39%) were 6th graders, 567 (18.74%) were 7th graders, 614 (20.29%) were 8th graders, and 309 (10.21%) were 9th graders. In addition, 2064 (68.21%) of all respondents were from urban areas and 962 (31.79%) were from rural areas. The results of the difference analysis showed that the differences in adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors were statistically significant between students of different grades (P=0.004), and that the differences in family functioning and empathy scores were also statistically significant between students of different grades (all P<0.001), whereas the differences in adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors were not statistically significant between sexes and regions (P=0.919, 0.959). The results of correlation analysis showed that family functioning scores (the higher the score, the worse the family functioning) were significantly negatively correlated with empathy and emotional competence (r=-0.482, -0.432, P<0.01), and significantly positively correlated with internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors (r=0.220, P<0.01). Empathy was significantly positively correlated with emotional competence (r=0.402, P<0.01). Empathy and emotional competence were significantly negatively correlated with all the dimensions of internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors (r=-0.115, -0.305, P<0.01). Emotional competence partially mediated the relationship between family functioning and adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, with a mediation effect value being 0.042 (95% [confidence interval] CI: 0.031-0.057). Empathy and emotional competence had chain mediation effect between family functioning and adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, with the value of the mediation effect being 0.010 (95% CI: 0.007-0.014). Family functioning influences adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in a direct way and through the chain-mediating roles of empathy and emotional competence.

Validation of a Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale: Dimensionality and factorial invariance.

For a multi-dimensional measure of positive youth development (PYD), its factor structure should be invariant across groups and over time. This study examined the factorial validity of the 44-item short form of the "Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale" (CPYDS-SF) that assesses 15 dimensions of PYD attributes. Using two waves of longitudinal data with a one-year interval in between, this study examined the factor structure of the scale and whether the structure is invariant between gender groups and across time. The data were collected from 3,328 adolescents at Wave 1 and 3,638 adolescents at Wave 2, with a matched sample of 2,905 adolescents (mean age = 12.57 ± 0.72 at Wave 1; 49.54% girls). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 15-factor structure fitted the data well. The findings of invariance tests further supported this structure's invariance across gender and time, indicating a stable factor structure of CPYDS-SF among Chinese adolescents. These findings suggest that CPYDS-SF can be used to examine gender differences and the longitudinal development of PYD qualities among Chinese adolescents.

Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Positive Youth Development Scale - Turkish Version.

In this study, we translated to Turkish and evaluated the validity, reliability, and measurement invariance for respondent sex, grade level and analysis programs the Short Form and Very Short Form of the Positive Youth Development Scale (Turkish version). We had 435 youth, aged 11-17years, complete the Short (34 items) and Very Short (17 items) Forms of the instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that both forms had a 5-factor structure, and validity testing showed good criterion-related correlation validity between this tool and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The Short Form had adequate reliability coefficients, but the Very Short Form lacked sufficient reliability for some dimensions. Test-retest correlations were satisfactory for both forms. While the Short and Very Short Forms showed measurement invariance across gender and grade level, CFI, NNFI (TLI), and IFI values diverged between LISREL and AMOS analysis programs. In summary, our data suggest that the Short Form is a reliable measure of positive youth development, while the Very Short Form may not be as reliable due to insufficient confidence values.

Relationship Between Peer Attachment and Adolescent Positive Well-Being with Gender as the Moderating Factor in Malaysia

Identifying protective factors that could influence the positive well-being of adolescents is important as positive development view emphasizes the possibility of adolescents developing positive traits based on their strengths, positive qualities, and supportive environments. This study examines the relationship between peer attachment with positive adolescent well-being and the role of gender as a moderator for links between peer attachment with positive adolescent well-being. A total of 400 7th Grade students from government schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and state of Selangor were involved in this study. Adolescent positive well-being and peer attachment were measured using the Positive Youth Development Scale and Inventory of Peer and Parent Attachment. The results show that peer attachment was predictor of adolescent positive well-being. The study also found that gender moderated the relationship between peer attachment and adolescent positive well-being. This study provides information on factors that can help the positive development of adolescents. Identifying these factors will provide insight on events or experiences that will increase the occurrence of positive outcomes and reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes.

Validation Evidence of a Positive Youth Development Scale Among Latin American Adolescents

Validation Evidence of a Positive Youth Development Scale Among Latin American Adolescents

Portuguese Validation of the Climate Change Attitude Survey: Psychometric Properties and Relations with Positive Youth Development

ABSTRACT Promoting positive development may lead to young people’s active contributions to their environment through positive attitudes and behaviours. The Climate Change Attitude Survey (15-item version) aims to identify climate change attitudes differences in groups of students and to assess pre- to post-intervention attitude changes. We intended to validate and test a possible extension of this scale among a Portuguese sample of adolescents and emerging adults. We also investigated whether higher scores on this scale would be positively associated with positive youth development. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance, and convergent validity were assessed. The results showed good psychometric properties aligned with the original factorial structure. Significant differences were found among female and male samples regarding beliefs and intentions. A small but significant positive association was identified with a positive youth development scale. We suggest this may be an adequate instrument to assess youth climate change beliefs and intentions.

Examining the Relationships between Positive Youth Development and Post-Traumatic Growth in Young People Who Have Experienced Earthquakes

Post-traumatic growth is expressed as a positive change in individuals by remaining psychologically durable under extremely stressful conditions. Therefore, variables that can positively affect post-traumatic growth become important. The study aims to examine the relationships between positive youth development and post-traumatic growth levels in young people who have experienced earthquakes. While designing this research, the quantitative research approach was adopted and the relational survey model was used. The study group the research consists of 347 young people, 261 girls, and 86 boys, who have experienced an earthquake. In this study, we used the criterion sampling method, one of the non-probability online methods. "Positive youth development scale", "Post-traumatic growth inventory" and "Personal Information form" were used as data collection tools in the research. According to the results of the study, a moderate and positive correlation value was found between positive youth development and post-traumatic growth (r = .547, p

Associations between adolescents’ empathy and prosocial attributes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundAdolescence is a formative period of social development. Adolescents have experienced considerable changes in their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a longitudinal study to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ prosocial attributes and empathy, as well as their longitudinal bilateral relationships.MethodsA total of 2,510 students from five junior schools in Sichuan Province were recruited via random cluster sampling. Data were collected in December 2019 (Wave 1, before the outbreak of the pandemic) and July 2020 (Wave 2, during the pandemic) in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Prosocial attributes and empathy were measured with the Positive Youth Development Scale (GPYDS) subscale and Chinese Empathy Scale, respectively.ResultsDuring the pandemic, both empathy and prosocial attributes decreased significantly from 49.89 (9.12) and 49.89 (8.80) before to 48.29 (8.72) and 49.39 (9.26) (p < 0.001), respectively. A higher level of empathy at Wave 1 significantly predicted higher prosocial attributes at Wave 2 (β = 0.173, SE = 0.021, t = 8.430, p < 0.001). A lower prosocial attributes score predicted a significantly lower empathy score from Wave 1 to Wave 2 (β = 0.100, SE = 0.021, t = 4,884, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental effects on adolescents’ empathy and prosocial attributes. Special attention should be given to these two longitudinally associated factors in any social crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, considering their importance for adolescents’ physical, mental, and social development.

The relationship between anxiety and depression under the pandemic: The role of life meaning.

COVID-19 is a stressor creating much anxiety for the general public, such as anxiety related to possible infection, social distancing, financial strain and uncertainty. As the scientific literature shows that there is an intimate relationship between anxiety and depression, it is important to ask whether anxiety is related to depression under the pandemic and whether spirituality indexed by life meaning can moderate the relationship between anxiety and depression. According to theories highlighting the importance of life meaning, relative to people with a higher level of life meaning, the relationship between anxiety and depression would be stronger in people with a lower level of life meaning. Empirically, we collected data in two waves (i.e., before and after the first wave of COVID-19, respectively) from 4,981 adolescents recruited in Sichuan, China. Then, the 41-item "Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders" was employed to measure anxiety symptoms, 20-item "Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale" was utilized to examine depression symptoms, and the "Spirituality Subscale of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale" for assessing life meaning. We found that anxiety significantly predicted depression at each wave and across time. Second, controlling for Wave 1 depression scores, results showed that a drop in Wave 1 anxiety predicted a drop in depressive symptoms over time. Regarding the relationship between meaning in life and depression, spirituality indexed by meaning in life negatively predicted depression at each wave and over time, and predicted change in depression across time. Finally, multiple regression analyses showed that life meaning moderated the predictive effect of anxiety on depression. The findings support the thesis that spirituality serves as a protective factor for psychological morbidity in Chinese adolescents. The study also suggests the importance of helping adolescents to develop life meaning under COVID-19.

Preliminary development of a multidimensional positive youth development scale for young rural and urban adolescents in China

This study examined the dimensionality, reliability, and validity of a Chinese version of the 5-C Model of positive youth development (PYD), originally developed in the U.S., with a sample of rural and urban young adolescents in China. The Cs represent five youth strengths: competence, confidence, character, caring, and connection. The results of the exploratory factor analyses showed a reasonable data fit with the 5-C Model. The total and subscale scores evinced good internal reliability (α = .7 to .9) and the confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the convergence of the five Cs on a second-order latent factor of PYD, showing adequate goodness of fit (CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.04). Metric and scalar invariance were found across gender. Metric and partial scalar invariance were found for rural-urban groups. Supportive evidence on convergent and discriminatory validity was also found. We conclude that the Chinese version of the 5-C PYD Scale is a reliable and valid instrument, with good construct validity for Chinese young adolescents.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Resilience Among Chinese Adolescents and Its Influential Factors: A Longitudinal Study.

The current study assessed the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on resilience among Chinese adolescents and explored its influential factors. A total of 2,359 students were recruited from three middle schools through cluster randomization in Chengdu. Data were collected before and after home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Resilience, family function, and effect of the pandemic were measured using subscales of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale, Chinese Family Assessment Instrument, and Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale. Paired samples t test showed resilience decreased significantly after confinement. According to stepwise multiple linear regression, basal resilience, family dysfunction, higher frequencies of hyperarousal symptoms of posttraumatic stress, increased electronic device use, and relationship with caregivers were independent influential factors of resilience. COVID-19 negatively affected adolescents' resilience; therefore, stakeholders need to focus on improving resilience in this population to mitigate mental health impacts of acute stressful events. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(12), 31-37.].

BULLYING AND VIOLENCE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN BULGARIA: THE IMPACT OF POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Objectives. Bullying and physical fighting are prevalent among adolescents and have negative health and psychosocial effects for both perpetrators and victims. Risk and protective factors for bullying and violence have been identified, including the protective role of the characteristics of Positive Youth Development. According to Lerner’s 5Cs model these include Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring. The aim of the study was to explore the impact of Positive Youth Development characteristics on adolescent bullying and cyberbullying perpetration and participation in physical fighting. Material and methods. Data from the 2017/2018 Bulgarian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children [HBSC] study were used. The national representative sample comprised 1517 adolescents aged 15 years. Measures included the Positive Youth Development Scale – short form and single-item measures of bullying, cyberbullying and physical fighting. Results. Bullying, cyberbullying, and physical fighting were prevalent among Bulgarian adolescents, more often in boys. The proportion of explained variance by the 5 Positive Youth Development characteristics was 3% for bullying, 11% for cyberbullying and 4% for fighting. Bullying and cyberbullying were both significantly negatively associated with Character, with bullying also significantly negatively associated with Confidence. Physical fighting was significantly negatively associated with Confidence and Caring and positively associated with Competence. These associations remained significant after being adjusted for gender and socioeconomic status, except for the association between fighting and Caring. Conclusions. Findings suggest the development of the characteristics of Positive Youth Development (especially Character and Confidence) through various youth programs can contribute to the reduction of bullying and violence in young people. Keywords: bullying perpetration, cyberbullying perpetration, physical fighting, Positive Youth Development, adolescents.

Validation of Positive Youth Development Scale and Implications for Adolescent in Hong Kong Community

Validation of Positive Youth Development Scale and Implications for Adolescent in Hong Kong Community

The Role of Positive Youth Development, Religious Coping, and the Parenting Styles in Adolescent Students’ Life Satisfaction

Background: Life satisfaction in adolescence could be influenced by various factors, such as adolescent skills, religious beliefs, and parenting styles. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate life satisfaction in accordance with positive youth development (PYD), religious coping, and the parenting styles in adolescent students. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the statistical population of the study included all the high school students in Semnan, Iran, during 2018. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling, 383 subjects (191 boys and 192 girls) completed the demographic questionnaire, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), the PYD Scale (PYD-VSF), and the Religious Coping Scale (Brief-RCOPE). The statistical methods of Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis were utilized in this study. The data were analyzed via SPSS version 19. Results: The results of Pearson correlation indicated that authoritative parenting style (r=0.35; p <0.001), the PYD (r=0.39; p <0.001), and positive religious coping (r=0.34; p <0.001) had positive and significant relations with life satisfaction. Moreover, negative religious coping (r=-0.16; P=0.002) had a negatively significant association with life satisfaction in a dolescents. Moreover, the results of stepwise regression analysis revealed that adolescents’ life satisfaction could be predicted based on confidence dimension (Beta=0.42; p <0.001), authoritative parenting (Beta=0.28; p <0.001), positive religious coping (Beta=0.22; p <0.001), and negative religious coping (Beta=-0.14; p <0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, it is necessary to pay attention to religious coping style, parenting style, and the PYD components in order to promote well-being and life satisfaction among adolescents.

Applying a Multidimensional Item Response Theory Approach in Validating the Dimensionality of the Positive Youth Development Scale

Positive youth development has gained a lot of attention recently since it acts as a protective factor for several risk behaviors and other important life outcomes in adolescents and young adults. The main objective of this study was to explore the factorial structure of the Positive Youth Development Scale (PYDS) using multidimensional item response theory (MIRT). Three different models were examined: a unidimensional model, a multidimensional model with six distinct dimensions, and a multidimensional bifactor model, where each item was restricted to load simultaneously on a global positive development factor as well as a domain-specific one. Results indicated that the bifactor model provided superior model fit compared to the competing models, including a testlet and purified models. The study concludes with the advantages of MIRT models in dimensionality assessment and provides some suggestions for the improvement of the PYDS’ item characteristics.

Positive Youth Development Attributes and Parenting as Protective Factors Against Adolescent Social Networking Addiction in Hong Kong.

This study examined the predictive effects of 15 positive youth development (PYD) attributes and parenting behavior on adolescent social networking addiction (SNA) in a representative sample of Hong Kong students. In total, 1,896 Hong Kong Secondary 1 students from 20 randomly selected schools (age = 13.19 ± 0.52 years) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale, and the Chinese Parenting Behavior Scale. Of the participants, 11.4% could be classified as being addicted to Social Networking Sites (SNSs). Regression analyses showed that students' emotional competence (β = −0.09; p < 0.01), behavioral competence (β = −0.12; p < 0.001), beliefs in the future (β = −0.10; p < 0.01), and spirituality (β = −0.08; p < 0.01) were negatively associated with SNA, while social competence (β = 0.07; p < 0.05) and positive identity (β = 0.13; p < 0.001) were positively related to SNA. Paternal and maternal responsiveness showed indirect effects on students' SNA through the full mediation of PYD attributes. Specific PYD attributes and positive parenting behavior may serve as important protective factors against the development of SNA among Hong Kong adolescents.

The Relationship between Positive Youth Development and Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Early Adolescents: A Three-Year Cross-Lagged Analysis.

Based on the development assets theory and the scar model, the present study examined the relationship between positive youth development (PYD) and depressive symptoms among Chinese early adolescents using a three-year longitudinal study design. Data from three waves were collected from 1301 students (Mean age = 12.46, SD = 0.63 years and 51.2% boys at wave 1) across the junior high school period (Grades 7–9). All participants completed a questionnaire that included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale (CPYD) once a year over three years. After controlling for age and gender, this study found that PYD significantly predicted subsequent depressive symptoms. However, depressive symptoms did not significantly predict subsequent PYD. The results indicated a unidirectional relationship between PYD and depressive symptoms, where a reduction in PYD may increase subsequent depressive symptoms, though not vice versa. Besides, the negative cross-sectional correlation between PYD and depressive symptoms remains significant and stable from first year (T1) to third year (T3). These findings suggest that promoting PYD may be a promising approach to preventing/reducing adolescent depressive symptoms.

Positive Youth Development and Adolescent Depression: A Longitudinal Study Based on Mainland Chinese High School Students.

There are several limitations of the scientific literature on the linkage between positive youth development (PYD) attributes and adolescent psychological morbidity. First, longitudinal studies in the field are limited. Second, few studies have used validated PYD measures to explore the related issues. Third, few studies have used large samples. Fourth, limited studies have been conducted in mainland China. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal study using two waves of data collected from 2648 junior high school students in mainland China. In each wave, participants responded to a validated PYD scale (Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale: CPYDS) and other measures of well-being, including the 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). After controlling for the background demographic variables, different measures of CPYDS (cognitive–behavioral competence, prosocial attributes, general positive youth development qualities, positive identity, and overall PYD qualities) were negatively associated with CES-D scores in Wave 1 and Wave 2. Longitudinal analyses also revealed that PYD measures in Wave 1 negatively predicted Wave 2 depression scores and the changes over time. The present findings highlight the protective role of PYD attributes in protecting adolescents from depression.

Development and validation of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale

Taking an integrative etic-emic approach, the current study aimed at developing a culturally contextualized positive youth development (PYD) scale in China. We collected survey data from one sample of 695 adolescents (321 girls, Mage = 13.82 years) to identify appropriate items and structure for the measure through a series of exploratory factor analyses. We then collected survey data from another sample of 1,404 adolescents (611 girls, Mage = 13.89 years) to examine the measure’s reliability, validity, and measurement invariance. Results revealed a four-factor Chinese PYD measure, which showed good psychometric qualities and possessed measurement invariance across gender and age groups. The Chinese PYD measure shared theoretical foundations with the US-based PYD model, but also demonstrated unique definitions and manifestations for some PYD indicators.

Desarrollo Positivo en Jóvenes Involucrados en Voluntariado y su Relación con las Neuronas Espejo

En este estudio se analizó el efecto del desarrollo positivo sobre la contribución en jóvenes, y se identificaron las diferencias entre los jóvenes que han realizado actividades de voluntariado y los que no las han realizado; además se analizó la activación de las neuronas espejo. Participaron 121 universitarios, 28.9% hombres y 71.1% mujeres, con una media de edad de 21.51 años. Se utilizó la escala de Desarrollo Positivo en Adolescentes y de Contribución, además de un instrumento conformado por dos conjuntos de estímulos visuales. Los resultados corroboraron el efecto de las 5 C’s sobre la contribución y se encontraron diferencias significativas en la escala de carácter y en dos dimensiones de contribución, donde los jóvenes que realizan actividades de voluntariado puntuaron más alto que aquellos que no las realizan. Se comprobó que existe activación en la zona correspondiente a las neuronas espejo, lo cual se relaciona con procesos empáticos. Se concluye que existe una relación entre las actividades de voluntariado y el desarrollo positivo en jóvenes universitarios.