Psychometric validation of the positive youth development scale–short form in Peruvian university students

Abstract

Introduction Evidence on the psychometric performance of the Positive Youth Development Scale–Short Form (PYD-SF) in Spanish-speaking university populations remains limited. This study examined evidence based on internal structure, measurement invariance across sex, internal consistency, the empirical distinctiveness of the five dimensions, and relations with purpose in life for PYD-SF scores in Peruvian university students. Methods A cross-sectional instrumental study was conducted with 1,015 Peruvian university students aged 18 to 30 years. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using the diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimator for ordinal data. Measurement invariance across sex, internal consistency, the empirical distinctiveness of the five dimensions, and relations with purpose in life were also assessed. Results The findings supported a correlated five-factor structure consistent with the theoretical 5Cs model. Strict measurement invariance across sex was established. Internal consistency coefficients were generally acceptable, although the categorical omega coefficient for Caring was marginal. Heterotrait–monotrait ratios remained below 0.85, and all five dimensions showed positive and statistically significant correlations with purpose in life. Conclusion The findings provide evidence based on internal structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance across sex, the empirical distinctiveness of the five dimensions, and relations with purpose in life for PYD-SF scores in Peruvian university students. These results support their use for group-level research in comparable university populations.