Developmental Assets and Healthy Lifestyles among Spanish Youth

Abstract

Developmental assets may be defined as the internal and external resources within an individual’s social ecology that predict positive outcomes. The present work aimed to examine the relationship between developmental assets and healthy lifestyles among Spanish youth. Data from the PYD Cross-national Project in Spain were collected through an anonymous questionnaire based on The Developmental Assets Profile and certain lifestyle indicators. The sample comprised 768 youth (Mage = 19.50, SD = 2.27; 60.5% female). Youth who reported having been drunk or having smoked in the last 30 days, and those who indicated they had inhaled a substance or consumed marijuana or another illicit drug over the previous 12 months were shown to have less of a commitment to learning, lower positive values, and fewer social skills. Further, participants who reported physical activity (at least 30 min) two or more times per week revealed greater empowerment, the constructive use of time, positive values, and a positive identity. Moreover, the consumption of at least one serving of fruit or vegetables every day was associated with more positive values. Gambling was related to lower scores for commitment to learning, social competencies, positive values, boundaries and expectations, and social support. The results suggest the need to design programmes to foster developmental assets and promote healthy lifestyles among young people.