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. 2023 Mar 22;13(3):280.
doi: 10.3390/bs13030280.

The Importance of the 5Cs of Positive Youth Development to Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study with University Students from Peru and Spain

Denisse Manrique-Millones  1 , Diego Gómez-Baya  2 , Nora Wiium  3
Affiliations

The Importance of the 5Cs of Positive Youth Development to Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study with University Students from Peru and Spain

Denisse Manrique-Millones et al. Behav Sci (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Prior research has documented the protective role of the 5Cs of Positive Youth Development (PYD) on adjustment problems, such as depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, more research is needed, especially in non-US contexts. The main objective of the present study was to assess associations between the 5Cs and depressive symptoms in Peru and Spain, considering gender differences across contexts.

Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from undergraduate students from Peru [n = 250] and Spain [n = 1044].

Results: The results revealed significant negative associations of Competence, Confidence, Character and Connection with depressive symptoms, while Caring was positively and significantly related to depressive symptoms in both samples. Regarding gender differences, female undergraduates in both samples reported high levels of Caring, while Competence was predominant among males compared to females in both countries. Likewise, higher scores in Competence and Confidence were registered among Peruvian male undergraduates compared to Spanish students, while Caring and Character were more prevalent in Spanish female undergraduates compared to Peruvian students.

Conclusions: These findings confirm the importance of targeting the 5Cs of PYD alongside the role of gender and country context in intervention programs, put together to address the mental health of students in Peru and Spain.

Keywords: 5Cs; Peru; Positive Youth Development; Spain; cross-national; depressive symptoms.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proposed Multiple partial mediation model of the effects of gender and country on depressive symptoms through the 5Cs of PYD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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