Page 43 - Ana Kozina and Nora Wiium, eds. ▪︎ Positive Youth Development in Contexts. Ljubljana: Educational Research Institute, 2021. Digital Library, Dissertationes (Scientific Monographs), 42.
P. 43
the effects of 5cs and developmental assets on well-being among youth in kosovo
2019). To our knowledge, there are only a few studies that took into consid-
eration other cultures and LMIC samples (e.g. Uka et al., in press).
Research Gap and Study Aim
The overall student’s performance in Kosovo significantly lags behind ma-
jor averages of the OECD countries (OECD, 2016, 2018). Thus, studies that
lay the ground for PYD interventions —which were found to have long-
term effects — in LMICs such as Kosovo are desperately needed. Although
they are fundamental for adolescent’s well-being, the lack of funds for re-
search and training makes them unseen in the field of intervention, yield-
ing negative outcomes. A new line of evidence from LMICs would be ben-
eficial to further develop positive youth programs, focusing on positive
socialization and developmental processes, assets and skills, rather than
risks and problems and they could potentially allow youth to develop de-
cision-making abilities. The assessment of modest existing programs in
LMICs shows that most PYD programs can be applied to these countries,
however, they require proper and rigorous examination for follow-up long-
term outcomes (Catalano et al., 2019). Thus, with research regarding PYD
programs and their effects on adolescent’s life being modest, PYD interven-
tions cannot be designed properly.
Therefore, we aimed to conduct a study that will contribute to the ex-
isting literature with a sample form LMICs such as Kosovo. Specifically,
this study aimed to identify the effects of 5Cs (competence, confidence,
character, connection, and caring) and developmental assets (internal and
external assets) on well-being and satisfaction with life among youth in
Kosovo. Although the literature confirms the monotonic positive relation-
ship between these variables, we aim to extend the investigation in an un-
derstudied population, such as the youth in Kosovo. Moreover, using Path
Models, the current study aims to identify which factor is the best predic-
tor of well-being and life satisfaction, thus informing both policies and in-
tervention. Based on the previous evidence, we hypothesized that 5Cs and
development assets are correlated with one another. We also hypothesized
that both internal and external assets will positively predict satisfaction
with life and well-being. However, we expected similar findings as Årdal et
al. (2017), thus hypothesizing that only three out of 5Cs (competence, con-
fidence and connection) will predict significantly satisfaction with life and
well-being.
43
2019). To our knowledge, there are only a few studies that took into consid-
eration other cultures and LMIC samples (e.g. Uka et al., in press).
Research Gap and Study Aim
The overall student’s performance in Kosovo significantly lags behind ma-
jor averages of the OECD countries (OECD, 2016, 2018). Thus, studies that
lay the ground for PYD interventions —which were found to have long-
term effects — in LMICs such as Kosovo are desperately needed. Although
they are fundamental for adolescent’s well-being, the lack of funds for re-
search and training makes them unseen in the field of intervention, yield-
ing negative outcomes. A new line of evidence from LMICs would be ben-
eficial to further develop positive youth programs, focusing on positive
socialization and developmental processes, assets and skills, rather than
risks and problems and they could potentially allow youth to develop de-
cision-making abilities. The assessment of modest existing programs in
LMICs shows that most PYD programs can be applied to these countries,
however, they require proper and rigorous examination for follow-up long-
term outcomes (Catalano et al., 2019). Thus, with research regarding PYD
programs and their effects on adolescent’s life being modest, PYD interven-
tions cannot be designed properly.
Therefore, we aimed to conduct a study that will contribute to the ex-
isting literature with a sample form LMICs such as Kosovo. Specifically,
this study aimed to identify the effects of 5Cs (competence, confidence,
character, connection, and caring) and developmental assets (internal and
external assets) on well-being and satisfaction with life among youth in
Kosovo. Although the literature confirms the monotonic positive relation-
ship between these variables, we aim to extend the investigation in an un-
derstudied population, such as the youth in Kosovo. Moreover, using Path
Models, the current study aims to identify which factor is the best predic-
tor of well-being and life satisfaction, thus informing both policies and in-
tervention. Based on the previous evidence, we hypothesized that 5Cs and
development assets are correlated with one another. We also hypothesized
that both internal and external assets will positively predict satisfaction
with life and well-being. However, we expected similar findings as Årdal et
al. (2017), thus hypothesizing that only three out of 5Cs (competence, con-
fidence and connection) will predict significantly satisfaction with life and
well-being.
43
