Abstract
BackgroundDevelopmental assets provide a framework for optimizing development among adolescents but have not been studied in adolescents with chronic illness and comorbid depression, which is a group at risk for poor health outcomes. YouTube postings provide valuable insights to understand this understudied population.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore asset development from the perspectives of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic illness and comorbid depression.MethodsYouTube was searched using 12 chronic illnesses (eg, diabetes) coupled with “depression” as keywords. Videos were included if they were uploaded by AYAs aged between 11 and 29 years and discussed living with chronic illness and depression during adolescence. Video transcripts were coded deductively for 40 internal and external assets that constitute the Developmental Assets Framework. Categories not captured by deductive coding were identified using conventional content analysis. Categories and their respective assets were labeled as being discussed either negatively or positively.ResultsIn total, 31 videos from 16 AYAs met the inclusion criteria. A total of 7 asset categories, support, constructive use of time, boundaries and expectations (external assets), identity, commitment to learning, positive values, and social competence (internal assets), reflecting 25 (13 internal; 12 external) assets, were discussed. Internal assets, particularly relating to identity, were commonly discussed by AYAs either in a negative way or fluctuated between positive and negative perspectives.ConclusionsIn this sample of AYAs with chronic illness and comorbid depression, internal assets were commonly discussed in a negative way. Future research is needed to better understand how assets develop and if the Developmental Assets Framework adequately represents the experiences of this population.
Highlights
This qualitative study aims to explore asset development from the perspectives of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who lived with chronic illness and comorbid depression during adolescence using videos from YouTube
As adolescent and young adult Positive Youth Development (PYD) (AYA) with chronic illness and comorbid depression are a difficult population to recruit, this study demonstrated the value of listening to their narratives on YouTube
This study explored developmental assets from the perspectives of AYAs who lived with chronic illness and comorbid depression during adolescence using videos on YouTube
Summary
The Developmental Assets Framework provides a standard framework for conceptualizing the PYD theory, detailing a research-grounded set of 40 protective factors or developmental assets that build on one another to foster positive development [2]. In this framework, assets are categorized as either external, referring to the support and opportunities provided by a youth’s community (eg, family support), or internal, encompassing the commitments and values that youth build themselves through engaging in these opportunities and relationships (eg, academic motivation). An increased understanding of how adolescents with chronic illness and comorbid depression build assets is needed to inform care strategies to mitigate depressive symptoms in this population
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