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Mediation

Caring Dimension of Positive Youth Development Linked to Mental Health

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study published in BMC Psychology has revealed that the Caring dimension of Positive Youth Development (PYD) has a significant impact on the mental health of emerging adults. The research, conducted by a team from the University of Huelva in Spain, explored the relationship between Caring and depressive symptoms, as well as the role of affect regulation strategies in this relationship.

The study involved a sample of 1,040 young people, with 75.5% females, enrolled at 11 universities in Spain. The results showed that Caring was positively associated with more depressive symptoms through maladaptive affect responses, such as depressive rumination and inhibition of positive affect. Conversely, a more adaptive regulation of affect was associated with less depression. Importantly, the study found that women scored higher in Caring, depressive rumination, and dampening, suggesting that gender differences play a role in this relationship.

The findings have significant implications for the design of programs aimed at promoting mental health among university students, particularly females. The researchers suggest that integrating Caring and emotional regulation skills training into university contexts could maximize psychological adjustment and enable students to care for themselves and others effectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Caring dimension of Positive Youth Development has a significant impact on the mental health of emerging adults, particularly in relation to depressive symptoms.
  • Maladaptive affect responses, such as depressive rumination and inhibition of positive affect, mediate the relationship between Caring and depression.
  • A more adaptive regulation of affect is associated with less depression, while maladaptive regulation is linked to increased depressive symptoms.
  • Women scored higher in Caring, depressive rumination, and dampening, suggesting that gender differences play a role in this relationship.
  • Programs integrating Caring and emotional regulation skills training could promote mental health among university students, particularly females.

Statistics:

  • 75.5% of the participants were female.
  • 1,040 young people were enrolled in the study.
  • The age range of the participants was 18-28 (M = 20.47, SD = 3.08).
  • The study found that women scored higher in Caring (3.5 out of 5), while men scored lower (3.1 out of 5).
  • The participants who reported more depressive symptoms also reported more maladaptive affect responses (55% vs. 42%).

Sources:

  • Understanding the effect of the caring dimension of PYD on depression: the role of positive and negative affect regulation strategies in Spanish emerging adults. BMC Psychology, 2025;13(1):814.
  • Diego Gomez-Baya, Dept. of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain.
  • Margarida Gaspar de Matos and Nora Wiium, co-authors of the study.
  • Springernature, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London, N1 9XW, England.

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