Scientific literature has shown contextual factors that predict youth development, and family variables are the most important ones. In this study, we propose a model that explains the relation between family variables (relationship with parents and family activities) and Personal Positive Youth Development (assessed through Life satisfaction, Interiority, and Self-control), across different cultures. We recruited 2867 adolescents aged 12-18 years (52% female) from three countries: Spain, Mexico, and Peru. They completed an anonymous questionnaire. We run exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and structural equation modelling, testing for invariance across countries and sexes. In all subsamples, positive family relationships were associated with adolescents' Life Satisfaction. In addition, time invested on family activities was associated with Interiority and with Self-control. However, some differences across cultures and sex were found in the specific associations. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed regarding how to improve adolescent development through family life.

Aims To determine the associations between internal assets (planning and decision-making, interpersonal competence and commitment to learning) and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana use and other drugs). Design A cross-sectional study was conducted in four countries (Chile, Mexico, Spain and Peru). Methods Adolescents aged 12-18 self-completed a multi-purpose questionnaire between 2016 and 2019. Multiple logistic regressions and structural equation models were performed to analyse the association between internal assets (planning and decision-making, interpersonal competence, and commitment to learning) and substance use. Results The results indicate that planning and decision-making and commitment to learning are conducive to the prevention of substance use. On the contrary, interpersonal competence was not associated with substance use. Conclusion The present study shows that planning and decision-making and commitment to learning can be relevant factors in explaining substance use during adolescence. Internal assets can be an important aspect to include in health promotion interventions with children, youth and families to prevent substance use. These findings may be useful for researchers, schools, paediatric nurse practitioners, and health professionals in general to design health programs focused on children and adolescents. Furthermore, the Developmental Assets framework has been proved as a suitable frame of reference for paediatric nurse practitioners to assess and develop child and adolescent positive development and design health promotion interventions to prevent substance use.

This study tested an empirical model of the relationship between Personal Positive Youth Development (PPYD) and two contextual factors: Positive Parenting (PP), and Perception of the Climate and Functioning of the School (PcfS). The hypothesis tested was that a positive relationship with parents and a positive perception of the school will contribute to the prediction of PPYD. The sample was composed of 1507 adolescents recruited in 10 Spanish schools who were aged between 12 and 18 years and 52% were female. PPYD was evaluated through Dispositional optimism, Self-competence, and Sense of coherence. PP was evaluated through Affect and communication, Autonomy granting, Humor, and Self-disclosure. PcfS was evaluated through School climate, School bonds, Clarity of rules and values, and Empowerment. Previous reliability and validity analyses of the constructs were carried out, and correlational analyses and structural predictions were made. The results show that both PP and PcfS were associated with better scores in PPYD. Also, a positive correlation between those two contextual factors was found. Implications for applied research are discussed.

The aim of this research was to delimit the predictive and mediational model of resilience between character strengths to predict flourishing, in a sample of undergraduate students. After signing their informed consent, 642 university students completed three validated scales. Using an ex post facto design, regression, structural modeling, and mediation analyses were carried out, in order to construct a multi-causal predictive model. Results indicated a consistent predictive direct effect of character strengths on resilience and flourishing and of resilience on flourishing. As hypothesized, resilience also showed a mediating effect on the relationship between character strengths and flourishing. Additionally, results also revealed that the reactive and proactive factors of resilience were explained by different character strengths, reinforcing the idea that the two directions are complementary and necessary. Finally, several implications were established for the practice of positive psychology.

Oliva¿s Escala para la Evaluación del Estilo Parental (EEEP) [Scale for the evaluation of parenting styles] asks adolescents about their parents¿ education styles separately (¿your father¿ and ¿your mother¿) or in a combined way (¿your parents¿), but only the separated version has been tested for validity. The objective of this work was to carry out a validation of the combined version. A sample of 1507 adolescents, aged 12 to 18 years, was recruited. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were run in two independent subsamples. Then, structural equation models (SEM) were run in order to test the association between the EEEP¿s subscales and adolescent outcomes (optimism, pessimism, and academic achievement). Results showed a good fit of the instruments¿ structure. Furthermore, the subscales showed associations with the outcomes. The EEEP can be reliably used in its combined form, which results in a reduction of items, often beneficial for research.

Este artículo analiza el componente CAS (Creatividad, Actividad y Servicio) del Bachillerato Internacional, y su relación con la Educación del Carácter. El CAS promueve fortalezas del carácter planteadas en distintos programas de Educación del Carácter. No obstante, en la bibliografía existente no se han identificado de manera explícita estas relaciones entre CAS y carácter. Con el objetivo de hallar los tipos de Educación del Carácter que se trabajan en el CAS, este trabajo presenta una revisión sistemática de la literatura (SLR) siguiendo el método PRISMA. Se encontraron 99 trabajos, de los cuales finalmente se incluyeron 17 en el análisis, tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Distintas tipologías de Educación del Carácter aparecen reflejadas en todos ellos. La Educación del Carácter se encuentra inmersa en el programa CAS de diversos modos, tales como Educación en habilidades para la vida, Aprendizaje-servicio o Educación moral, entre otros. Por tanto, existe una dificultad en la literatura para definir carácter y Educación del Carácter, dado que es un concepto elástico y controvertido o, como algunos autores apuntan, un concepto paraguas.

Introduction. Positive parenting and Extracurricular Activities are contextual assets for enhancing Personal Positive Youth Development. However, these assets have not been studied simultaneously or in students of different ages. This paper analyzed these associations, by testing a mediator model in students with different academic trajectories. Method. The sample was composed by 1.402 adolescents, aged between 12 and 20 years (Mean=14.40; SD=1.910; males=49%). Students completed various questionnaires regarding the personal constructs of Optimism, Hope, General Self-efficacy and Sense of Coherence, as well as questionnaires that address perceptions of Parental Style and Extracurricular Activities. A random sampling was carried out by schools in Aragon (Spain) that offered the degrees carried out by adolescents. Results. Structural equation modeling showed that Positive Parenting was associated with the accomplishment of Extracurricular Activities and personality constructs. Further, participation in activities was associated with the same pattern of personality traits (Expectancies, Self, and Sense of Coherence). These results were found mainly in younger students (12-15 years old), while in older students (16-20 years old) this effect was found only for those with a profile of less successful academic pathways. Discussion and Conclusion. Relationships with family are the essential asset for adolescents, especially to promote Personal Positive Youth Developme

Participation in organized Extracurricular Activities has contributed to improve academic achievement. However, this does not happen in the same way; it depends on sex, age, or parental educational level. Our objective is to know the importance of these factor interactions¿ in the explanation of academic achievement. The sample consisted of 1148 adolescents, aged between 12 and 18 years, 52% of whom were female. Participants completed the Extracurricular Activities questionnaire, and academic and sociodemographic data were collected. The results show that differences in academic achievement depend on the adolescent stage. In early adolescence, girls improve in academic achievement, as well as with better parental education, reading of books and activity duration. On the contrary, in the middle and late adolescence, academic achievement improves with not participating in collective sports and reduced activity breadth, although parental educational level follows the same trend as in the early adolescence. These results reinforce the evolutionary hypothesis of specialization in the choice of activities throughout adolescence. In this sense, some proposals for schools that advocate for greater integration of curricular and non-curricular elements are discussed.

Resumen Las vivencias de los adolescentes en los centros educativos son determinantes en su rendimiento académico y adaptación al mismo. Este artículo compara las diferencias en torno a la percepción del clima y funcionamiento del centro según curso, edad, sexo, titularidad y ámbito del centro y rendimiento académico. El estudio analiza las diferencias en una muestra de 1208 estudiantes adolescentes sobre la escala de Percepción del Clima y Funcionamiento del Centro (PCFC), y las dimensiones que la conforman. Estas dimensiones son clima, vínculo con el centro, claridad de normas y valores, y empoderamiento y oportunidades. Entre los resultados se hallaron diferencias significativas en la escala PCFC en función del curso, edad, sexo, tipo de centro y rendimiento académico. Se observa en las mujeres, una mejor percepción en las dimensiones de Vínculo y Claridad de las normas del centro educativo. La percepción global del centro disminuye con el aumento del nivel educativo y de la edad, pero aumenta con mayor rendimiento académico y en centros de titularidad privada-concertada frente a la pública. Con base en los hallazgos, proporcionamos orientaciones para centros y elaboradores de políticas educativas. A lo largo de la adolescencia, los estudiantes requieren mayor responsabilidad y participación en la toma de decisiones del centro educativo, así como que este les proporciones mayores oportunidades para su desarrollo. Abstract The experiences of adolescents in schools are decisive for their academic achievement and adaptation. This article compares the differences around the perception of the climate and school functioning according to the educational level, age, sex, ownership and school location, and academic achievement. In this article, the differences in a sample of 1208 adolescent students on the Scale of Climate Perception and School Functioning (PCFC) and their dimensions are analyzed. These dimensions are climate, school bonds, clarity of norms and values, and empowerment, and opportunities. Significant differences are found in the PCFC scale depending on the course, age, sex, type of center, and academic performance. Bonds and Clarity are better observed in women. The overall perception of the school decreases with the increase in educational level and age, but increases with greater academic achievement, as well as in schools of private ownership over the public. From the findings, we provide guidelines for schools and educational policymakers. Throughout adolescence, students claim for greater responsibility and participation in the decision making of the school, as well as providing them with greater opportunities for their development.

Emotional intelligence (EI) and mindfulness are two constructs that have been separately studied, and the relation between them still remains unclear. Research in this area has not attempted to go further into how enhancing EI and mindfulness together can achieve better improvements in this ability to attend mindfully. To bridge this knowledge gap, our research goal was to study the relationship between EI and the mindfulness competence in our study sample and to assess the impact of implementing EI and a mindfulness competence developmental program (SEA) about participants' mindfulness competence. The sample consisted of 156 students aged 11-14 years old from a Spanish public high school. One hundred and eight participants were randomly assigned to the experimental condition, and the remaining 48 were to the control condition. The instruments used to evaluate EI were the CDE-SEC, EQi-Youth Version and the General Empathy Scale. Mindfulness on the School Scope Scale was used to assess mindfulness competences. Social adaptation was evaluated by using the social abilities and adjustment questionnaire BAS3. All the instruments where answered by the participants and have been adapted to a sample of youths with such age specifications. The results showed that EI and mindfulness were related to many of the variables measured by the instruments. Showing a good mindfulness competence was particularly related to having a good general level of the EI trait, and to many of the assessed social and emotional variables. The data indicated a significant relation between the mindfulness competence and having better general empathy skills or being better socially adjusted to the school context. The data also indicated a significant effect on participants' interior and kinesthetic mindfulness competence after implementing the SEA Program. These findings corroborate the relationship between EI and mindfulness, and the possibility of enhancing mindfulness by applying a direct intervention program in the classroom.

Emotional intelligence (EI) and mindfulness are two constructs that have been separately studied, and the relation between them still remains unclear. Research in this area has not attempted to go further into how enhancing EI and mindfulness together can achieve better improvements in this ability to attend mindfully. To bridge this knowledge gap, our research goal was to study the relationship between EI and the mindfulness competence in our study sample and to assess the impact of implementing EI and a mindfulness competence developmental program (SEA) about participants¿ mindfulness competence. The sample consisted of 156 students aged 11¿14 years old from a Spanish public high school. One hundred and eight participants were randomly assigned to the experimental condition, and the remaining 48 were to the control condition. The instruments used to evaluate EI were the CDE-SEC, EQi-Youth Version and the General Empathy Scale. Mindfulness on the School Scope Scale was used to assess mindfulness competences. Social adaptation was evaluated by using the social abilities and adjustment questionnaire BAS3. All the instruments where answered by the participants and have been adapted to a sample of youths with such age specifications. The results showed that EI and mindfulness were related to many of the variables measured by the instruments. Showing a good mindfulness competence was particularly related to having a good general level of the EI trait, and to many of the assessed

El carácter de desempeño constituye un pilar de la educación del carácter imprescindible para la eficacia en cualquier contexto que implique rendimiento. Su reciente inclusión en modelos de educación del carácter, en consonancia con enfoques ecológicos como el desarrollo positivo adolescente, persigue dotar de competencias clave en procesos de adaptación al medio. La aplicación de la educación de carácter en general y del carácter de desempeño en particular al currículo educativo supone un auténtico reto, que encierra en sí mismo importantes beneficios en el aspecto académico y en el desenvolvimiento de la persona en las múltiples facetas de su vida. A este efecto, abogamos por la introducción de la educación del carácter en el currículo académico, especialmente en la etapa adolescente. En la línea con el enfoque de desarrollo positivo adolescente, ello contribuiría a la prevención y a la promoción de múltiples competencias necesarias para desenvolverse en distintas situaciones, con la finalidad de explotar los talentos personales y servir mejor a la sociedad.

Se ofrece una aproximación a la conceptualización del bienestar subjetivo, incidiendo en factores personales que intervienen en la felicidad, así como en el desarrollo de las evidencias empíricas en este campo y su aplicación. En este estudio, en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios del área psicopedagógica, se recogen, por un lado, las principales preocupaciones y su grado de felicidad. Por otro lado, sus puntuaciones en los subfactores de la Inteligencia Emocional de percepción, comprensión y regulación mediante la escala TMMS-24. Los resultados ponen de relieve las semejanzas entre las preocupaciones, la relación positiva entre las dimensiones de la IE y la felicidad, así como la relación entre esta última y la orientación de las preocupaciones hacia el prójimo.