Central components of positive youth development in early adolescence: Network analysis of sex and grade differences

Positive Youth Development (PYD) is crucial for adolescent well-being, yet the interrelationships of its components, especially during early adolescence, remain underexplored. This study employed network analysis to investigate the central components of PYD and their sex and grade differences among 2,837 Chinese junior high school students (grades 7-9). The 5Cs Positive Youth Development Scale-Very Short Form (PYD-VSF) was used to measure the 5Cs: Competence, Confidence, Caring, Connection, and Character. Results revealed that "self-worth", "connection to family", and "bullied empathy" play a central role in the overall PYD network among adolescents. These nodes were also central in both sex-specific networks. However, their patterns of association with other nodes differed between boys and girls. Across grade levels, "self-worth" and attributes related to Connection and Caring consistently showed high centrality. Nevertheless, the degree of centrality, relative ranking, and specific patterns of association for these nodes differed across grades. These findings underscore the interconnected and complex systemic nature of PYD, calling for sex- and grade-sensitive interventions to effectively promote positive outcomes among youth.