The role of individual and ecological developmental assets in differences in thriving among Salvadoran youth

Research on resilience and thriving has largely focused on youth in high-income countries, leaving a gap in understanding how individual and ecological developmental assets relate to positive adaptation (variation in thriving) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Using dynamic, relational developmental systems (RDS)-based ideas, this study examined the role of individual and ecological developmental assets in thriving among Salvadoran youth. A cross-sectional sample of 1,205 Salvadoran youth (49.8% female, Mage = 13, SDage = 1.9) were studied. Latent profile analysis identified three profiles of positive adaptation labelled lower, moderate, and high thriving, reflecting differences among participants along the thriving continuum. Ordinal logistic regression analyses indicated that individual and ecological developmental assets were associated with youth variation along the thriving continuum. The association between individual developmental assets and thriving-profile membership varied in relation to ecological developmental assets. Findings underscore the value of RDS-informed approaches for considering thriving as a continuum of development in LMICs.