The 7Cs of Positive Youth Development in Colombia and Peru: A Promising Model for Reduction of Risky Behaviors Among Youth and Emerging Adults

The present chapter promotes PYD scholarship in Latin America by testing the 7Cs model of competence, confidence, character, caring, connection, contribution and creativity in Colombia and Peru. Young people in these countries represent a particularly vulnerable group due to significant rates of risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, violence and suicide. This chapter applies the 7Cs of PYD as a potentially powerful model to reduce these risky behaviors among this vulnerable population. A total of 755 youth and emerging adults from Colombia (n = 248) and Peru (n = 507) provided data on the 7Cs and their experience of alcohol and drug use, violence, and suicide attempts. The results of the structural equation modeling provided solid evidence for the reliability and validity of the 7Cs model as psychometrically reliable measurement across these populations and meaningful relations between the 7Cs and risky behaviors. The 7Cs represent a promising model promoting thriving of young people in Colombia and Peru by reducing their experience of alcohol and drug use, violence, and suicide attempts. The chapter offers unique conceptual and methodological contributions to the PYD field with relevant applications for research, policy and practice in Latin America and globally.