Abstract

Positive Youth Development (PYD) focuses on young people's potential, strengths and assets rather than their weaknesses. The PYD paradigm promotes positive developmental outcomes comprising the 5Cs model (i.e., competence, confidence, character, connectedness and caring), the developmental assets profile (DAP) and emerging adulthood flourishing models, allowing them a successful transition to adulthood. In the present study, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the mediating role of Connection in the relationship between Positive Identity and Purpose in Life in Chilean youth. 261 participants completed an online cross-sectional survey that included the following measures: The Developmental Assets Scale (DAP), the PYD Short Form 5Cs Questionnaire (PYD-SF) and the Purpose in Life Abbreviated Scale (PILEA). Findings indicated positive and significant correlations between all variables studied and a good model fit for the simple mediation model tested (CFI =0.93, RMSEA =0.05, SRMR =0.05), in which the connection partially mediated the effect of Positive Identity on Life Purpose of Life of Chilean young people. Our findings highlight the role of positive identity and connection to life purpose in Chilean emerging adults with reference to established PYD taxonomies and are broadly consistent with previous local and international PYD findings.