In the last 20 years, evidence has been found that supports the “5Cs” of the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model developed by Lerner and his colleagues in the United States. This model considers adolescents as active elements who may acquire the resources and strengths to develop positive relationships with others. However, few studies have focused on its generalization to other contexts. Therefore, the aim of the present scoping review is to examine the evidence of the 5Cs model (Confidence, Competence, Caring, Connection and Character) in Europe. A search was carried out in the international Web of Science database for articles published in Europe between 2013 and June 2023, obtaining 123 articles. Subsequently, after applying the inclusion criteria, 23 articles were included. The findings agreed that men have higher levels of Competence and Confidence, while women scored higher in Connection, Caring and Character. Furthermore, many studies stated that higher scores in Connection, Competence, Character and Confidence are related to better mental health, higher academic performance and greater social and environmental contribution. Consequently, it is crucial to increase the number of interventions based on this model to result in future adults who are healthy, happy and engaged with society. Finally, future lines of research are discussed, as well as the importance of researchers carrying out more intervention programs.

Positive Youth Development (PYD) emerged as a holistic and strength-based perspective that focuses on the fact that young people may have the internal and external resources for healthy and successful development through five dimensions (5Cs) that empower them: Perceived Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Caring. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the overall PYD factor, the 5Cs, and risk behaviors, in addition to analyzing gender differences. This study showed the results of a cross-sectional study of 1044 emerging adults from 11 Spanish universities in 2021. Data collection was performed by applying an online self-report measure. The results showed that the Character was protective against substance abuse, mainly in women, while the connection was related to the participation of betting money and online betting in men. Caring was protective against money bets in the men’s sample. However, controversial results were found regarding Perceived competence, which had a positive association with substance abuse, money bets, and drunk driving. It seems that high levels of Perceived competence, rather than objective competence, were associated with engagement in various risk behaviors. Concerning gender differences, men showed more risky behaviors than women. A partial mediation model pointed out that lower character and higher perceived competence in men partly explained the higher presence of risky behavior compared to women. These results underline the need to promote PYD within the university context to prevent risky behaviors by addressing gender differences and the separate role of the 5Cs.

Introduction: Excessive internet use among adolescents has increasingly raised concerns about its potential impact on psychological well-being, including issues such as depression and anxiety. Despite the extensive research on this topic, few studies have examined it through the lens of the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model. This model emphasizes the strengths and skills that enable adolescents to develop into healthy, well-integrated adults. This study aimed to analyze the influence of PYD on children’s and adolescents’ use of the Internet, social media, and Artificial Intelligence.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases from their inception until December 2024. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024602945).Results: 17 quantitative studies (cross-sectional and longitudinal) published between 2012 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The results suggest that PYD acts as a protective factor against risk behaviors associated with excessive use of the Internet and social media, such as pornography consumption, sexting, gaming disorders, and cyberbullying. This protective effect is consistent with its influence on other risk behaviors. Furthermore, variables such as emotional self-regulation and family environment were identified as crucial in mitigating these behaviors.Discussion: The PYD model appears to offer promising strategies for promoting responsible use of digital technologies. However, most studies were conducted in China, suggesting the need for cross-cultural research to support the generalization of the findings. Moreover, research is still needed to address the association between PYD and artificial intelligence use. Finally, the study discusses the implications of these results for future research and practice.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024602945, identifier [CRD42024602945].

Relational developmental systems theory integrates a positive youth development (PYD) perspective on the transition to adulthood. Meanwhile, the developmental assets (DAs) model describes the personal and contextual resources that nurture PYD. This study examined the fulfillment of DAs and experience of social contribution in a sample of 23 Spanish undergraduates from seven universities (age range 18–25, M _age = 20.57, SD = 2.06). Data were collected from seven focus groups, each comprising undergraduate students from different academic years, universities, and degree programs. All interviews were conducted in Spanish for 50–65 min and comprised eight questions divided into three sections (internal assets, external assets, and social contribution and barriers). The results indicated that among internal assets, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity were important for adolescents. Additionally, the external asset of social support was a highly relevant resource. Regarding social contribution, the participants showed empathy towards the needs of the community and reported that helping others was rewarding. Clearly, the youth’s perspectives on their development should be considered while creating prevention and promotion programs that foster internal and external assets.

The positive youth development (PYD) model is a strength-based conceptualization of the transition to adulthood, in which the relationships that individuals establish within this context are essential. These adaptive contextual–individual interactions allow youths to acquire better psychological adjustment and greater social participation. The PYD model differentiates five areas to be nurtured (the 5Cs) in young people: confidence, competence, connection, caring, and character. The present work aimed to examine differences in overall PYD and its respective 5Cs among Spanish university students based on their socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study with 1038 students between 18 and 28 years old from 11 Spanish universities was conducted. In order to assess the 5Cs, the Spanish adaptation of the 5Cs of the PYD Short Form was used. When analyzing the variability of the 5Cs according to socio-demographic variables, some relevant differences were found, though with small effect sizes. Students with better scores on the 5Cs included those who were living in the countryside or big cities, studied Social Sciences, were enrolled in small universities, had parents with a high education level, and those who reported high socio-economic status. Women presented higher scores in terms of connection, caring, and character, whereas men reported more perceived competence and confidence, which may be due to gender socialization during adolescence and youth. Families with parents with a higher level of education and of a higher socio-economic level may offer more resources and support greater positive youth development. These social inequalities in PYD may suggest the need for the promotion of equal opportunities in education, health promotion, and social participation, which may allow young people from all backgrounds to develop their individual potential.

Desde el uso de los mensajes SMS se ha venido utilizando un lenguaje escrito cada vez más abreviado, que lejos de parecer una deformación del lenguaje, sigue un código único y especial que ha “evolucionado” entre los usuarios activos de las “nuevas” redes sociales. En este trabajo se busca determinar el grado de recuerdo en los mensajes abreviados de Whatsapp en una muestra de 32 participantes, divididos en jóvenes (20-25 años) y adultos (45-55 años). De igual forma, se investiga el coste cognitivo que supone la lectura de un mensaje abreviado con emoticonos frente a uno no abreviado siguiendo la normativa de la RAE. De este análisis se obtienen varias conclusiones principales. La primera es que el lenguaje abreviado es capaz de transmitir la información más destacada a costa de un mayor tiempo de lectura, aunque los sujetos se vean competentes. Segundo, hay mayores ideas principales en hombres adultos y mujeres jóvenes. Tercero, hay un mayor número de ideas distorsionadas para los adultos de la condición abreviada y jóvenes sin abreviar. Todo esto hace que este lenguaje tenga unas características y finalidad que lo hace ser un lenguaje vivo y único.