engleski

Relationship between the six Cs of positive youth development and mental well-being among youth in Croatia

Relationship between the five Cs of positive youth development (PYD ; Confidence, Competence, Connection, Character, and Caring), Contribution, as the sixth Cs of PYD, and mental well-being is theoretically assumed but there is surprisingly little research that investigated these relationships. Even more surprisingly, in the studies that did investigate wellbeing and PYD, mental well-being was often defined as the absence of mental illness. In this study we have used a positive conceptualization of mental well-being and looked at its relationship with each of the six Cs of PYD among youth. Previous research has indicated that there might be gender differences in these variables, so gender was considered as a potential moderator in these relationships. The data were collected within the “Cross-National Project on PYD” on a sample of 728 high-school and university students in Croatia. Participants completed a questionnaire that included demographic information, measures of the six Cs of PYD, as well as a measure of mental well-being that includes both affective and cognitive aspects, and psychological functioning. A correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between the indicators of PYD and well-being. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that Confidence, Competence, and Connection were significant predictors of mental well-being, while Character, and Caring were not significant. The moderating effect of gender was not confirmed. The findings of this study can inform future interventions aimed at increasing youth mental well-being that could put the focus on youth Confidence, Competence, and Connection. Suggestions for policy applications and further research will be discussed.

six Cs, positve youth development, youth, mental well-being

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