The Trajectories of positive youth development in Lithuania: evidence from community and intervention settings

ENThis chapter explores the different pathways of the 5Cs model of Positive Youth Development (PYD) represented by competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring among adolescents in Lithuania. We present a longitudinal four-wave study with a community sample (N = 458, M age = 15.14, SD = .48 at T1, 52% females) and a quasi-experimental four-time point intervention study using the Try Volunteering program (N = 605, M age = 15.26, SD = .67 at pre-test, 43% females) in a school setting. In the first study with a community sample, high, medium, low developmental trajectories of PYD were distinguished and the change of the 5Cs over time was explored. In the second study, investigation of the 5Cs focused intervention revealed that the intervention program Try Volunteering shifted the developmental trajectories of all 5Cs towards positive development. The findings have relevant implications for PYD interventions to promote thriving in adolescence and practical evidence-based tools for fostering positive youth development in Lithuania. [From the publication]