Relationship of Youth Development with Life Satisfaction, Intentional Self-Regulation, Parental Education and Hope

Abstract

The present research, focused on the realm of Positive Youth Development (PYD),i.e., a youth-centric developmental approach aimed at mitigating problem behaviors through a focus on their innate capabilities and optimistic aspirations. The central objectives of this comprehensive investigation encompassed examining the interplay between intentional self-regulation and hope about PYD and its subsequent impact on life satisfaction. Additionally, the study sought to elucidate the role played by parents' educational level in fostering adolescents' positive development. This study used a sample comprising 385 students from the University of Peshawar, aged between 18 and 21 (mean age = 19.57, standard deviation = 1.05). Data collection involved the administration of four self-report scales, namely the Bridge Positive Youth Development scale (Lopez et al., 2014), the selection optimization and compensation scale (Baltes & Freund, 1999), the hopeful future expectations scale (Lerner et al., 2007), and satisfaction with life scale (Diener et al., 1985). The findings from the regression analysis proved that individuals possessing intentional self-regulation and hope exhibit positive developmental trajectories. Moreover, the correlation coefficient underscored a positive association, revealing that individuals with higher PYD scores tend to experience heightened levels of life satisfaction. Furthermore, the One-way ANOVA analysis results did not reveal any statistically significant differences in positive youth development among individuals based on their parents' educational attainment. These empirical findings hold substantial implications for policy formulation and program design targeted at fostering the positive development of youth. They offer valuable insights to practitioners, enabling them to proactively address issues related to anxiety and depression by infusing a sense of purpose and meaning into the lives of adolescents.