Programs effective in promoting positive youth development (PYD) involve curricular features termed the Big Three: Positive and sustained adult–youth relationships; life-skill-building activities; and youth contribution and leadership opportunities. Data from 610 adolescents (50% female; M _age = 16.39 years, SD = 1.83) enrolled in Compassion International-supported programs in El Salvador indicated that scores derived from a youth-report measure of the Big Three, established using data from Rwanda, manifested strong invariance and predicted both youth strengths and contribution. Qualitative interviews with 18 youth from these programs indicated that the Big Three were seen as present and enhancing their positive development. We discuss how future research using a quantitative–qualitative approach may provide deeper evidence about the practical application and promotion of PYD in youth programs.

有效促进青年积极发展 (PYD) 的计划涉及被称为“三巨头”的课程特点：积极和持续的成人-青年关系；生活技能培养活动；以及青年贡献和领导机会。来自 610 名青少年的数据（50% 为女性；M _年龄= 16.39 岁，SD= 1.83) 在萨尔瓦多参加同情国际支持的项目表明，根据使用卢旺达数据建立的三大青年报告衡量标准得出的分数表现出很强的不变性，并预测了青年的优势和贡献。对来自这些项目的 18 名青年的定性采访表明，三巨头被视为存在并促进了他们的积极发展。我们讨论了使用定量-定性方法的未来研究如何为青年项目中 PYD 的实际应用和推广提供更深入的证据。