Adolescent Health Research Research Articles

Development of School and Neighborhood Collective Efficacy Scales for Use in Japanese Adolescent Health Research

Development of School and Neighborhood Collective Efficacy Scales for Use in Japanese Adolescent Health Research

The importance of the post-disaster context in fostering human resilience

The importance of the post-disaster context in fostering human resilience

Cultural Consensus Modeling to Understand the Reproductive Health Needs of South African Adolescent Girls

Background. Cultural consensus modelling (CCM) is an approach whereby individuals define the boundaries regarding a set of knowledge or behaviours shared by a group within a culture using an ethnographic approach. Objectives. To provide an overview of CCM methods and the application of CCM to examine South African adolescent girls’ contraceptive and HIV prevention practices. Methods. In phase 1 of a CCM approach, individuals respond to questions about their culture rather than their individual behaviours, allowing individuals to draw upon a shared cultural knowledge. Utilising these identified group beliefs, phase 2 asks individuals to rate the extent to which factors identified in phase 1 are valued. Phase 3 utilises qualitative interviews with key informants from phase 2 to gather in-depth information regarding the identified determinants of the health behaviour. Lastly, phase 4 of this approach conducts a quantitative survey to determine the extent to which cultural consensus model types are associated with differences in actual behaviours. Results. CCM data analytic approaches are described. Frequencies and descriptive statistics for the free listing are conducted. For phase 2, cultural consensus analysis is conducted to examine whether one or several consensus models exist and competence scores are calculated. Standard qualitative analysis approaches are utilised for phase 3. Phase 4 employs regression to examine the association between cultural models and an outcome of interest. Conclusion. CCM provides a novel, culturally sensitive understanding of reproductive health practices among South African adolescent girls; CCM also has broad applicability to other adolescent health research domains.

Research priorities for adolescent health in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods synthesis of two separate exercises.

BackgroundIn order to clarify priorities and stimulate research in adolescent health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted two priority-setting exercises based on the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methodology related to 1) adolescent sexual and reproductive health and 2) eight areas of adolescent health including communicable diseases prevention and management, injuries and violence, mental health, non-communicable diseases management, nutrition, physical activity, substance use, and health policy. Although the CHNRI methodology has been utilized in over 50 separate research priority setting exercises, none have qualitatively synthesized the ultimate findings across studies. The purpose of this study was to conduct a mixed-method synthesis of two research priority-setting exercises for adolescent health in LMICs based on the CHNRI methodology and to situate the priority questions within the current global health agenda.MethodsAll of the 116 top-ranked questions presented in each exercise were analyzed by two independent reviewers. Word clouds were generated based on keywords from the top-ranked questions. Questions were coded and content analysis was conducted based on type of delivery platform, vulnerable populations, and the Survive, Thrive, and Transform framework from the United Nations Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health, 2016-2030.FindingsWithin the 53 top-ranked intervention-related questions that specified a delivery platform, the platforms specified were schools (n = 17), primary care (n = 12), community (n = 11), parenting (n = 6), virtual media (n = 5), and peers (n = 2). Twenty questions specifically focused on vulnerable adolescents, including those living with HIV, tuberculosis, mental illness, or neurodevelopmental disorders; victims of gender-based violence; refugees; young persons who inject drugs; sex workers; slum dwellers; out-of-school youth; and youth in armed conflict. A majority of the top-ranked questions (108/116) aligned with one or a combination of the Survive (n = 39), Thrive (n = 67), and Transform (n = 28) agendas.ConclusionsThis study advances the CHNRI methodology by conducting the first mixed-methods synthesis of multiple research priority-setting exercises by analyzing keywords (using word clouds) and themes (using content analysis).

Measurement of alienation among adolescents: construct validity of three scales on powerlessness, meaninglessness and social isolation

BackgroundPsychological alienation is an important concept in the study of adolescents’ health and behavior but no gold standard for measuring alienation among adolescents exists. There is a need for new scales with high validity for use in adolescent health and social research. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate alienation scales in accordance with Seeman’s conceptualization of alienation focusing on three independent variants specifically relevant in adolescent health research: powerlessness, meaninglessness and social isolation.MethodsCross-sectional data from 3083 adolescents aged 13 to 15 years from the Danish contribution to the cross-national study Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) were used. We identified and developed items, addressed content and face validity through interviews, and examined the criterion-related construct validity of the scales using graphical loglinear Rasch models (GLLRM).ResultsThe three scales each comprised three to five face valid items. The powerlessness scale reflected the adolescent’s expectancy as to whether his/her behavior can determine the outcome or reinforcement he/she seeks. The meaninglessness scale reflected the expectancy as to whether satisfactory predictions regarding the effects of one’s behavior are possible. Finally, the social isolation scale reflected whether the adolescent had a low expectancy for inclusion and social acceptance. All scales contained some uniform local dependency and differential item functioning. However, only to a limited degree, which could be accounted for using GLLRM. Thus the scales fitted GLLRMs and can therefore be considered to be essentially construct valid and essentially objective.ConclusionThe three alienation scales appear to be content and face valid and fulfill the psychometric properties of a good construct valid reflective scale. This suggests that the scales may be appropriate in future large-scale surveys to examine the relation between alienation and a range of adolescent health outcomes such as health, behavior and wellbeing.

Computerized tablet based versus traditional paper- based survey methods: results from adolescent's health research in schools of Maharashtra, India

Computerized tablet based versus traditional paper- based survey methods: results from adolescent's health research in schools of Maharashtra, India

Improving Adolescent Health: Learnings from an Interventional Study in Gujarat, India.

Background:There are multiple risk factors during adolescence, which become precursors of various diseases and injuries inflicting high morbidity, mortality, and disability. There are several gaps in adolescent health research in India; one among them is that programs targeting adolescent health are constrained by the absence of rigorous interventional research informing interventions for improving adolescent health. This study aims to document the effectiveness of intervention on adolescent health and knowledge change on the risk factors among adolescents in one of the selected districts in Gujarat, India.Methods:This was an interventional study with quasi-experimental design executed in one of the blocks of Gujarat. Baseline was conducted in 2013–2014 followed by intervention and the end line during 2016–2017. A structured validated questionnaire after pilot testing was executed to collect information on sociodemographic profile, nutrition status, menstrual hygiene practices, reproductive and sexual health, substance abuse, program awareness and utilization, and empowerment through life skills of adolescents in baseline and end line survey. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).Results:This study documented increased awareness regarding anemia, knowledge about STD and HIV/AIDS, reduced addiction to tobacco, improved practices during menstrual hygiene and engagement with adolescent services/schemes in the intervention site.Conclusion:This study concludes that evidence-based interventions lead to increase in knowledge and practices; however, some improvements have also been documented in the nonintervention site. Therefore, changes due to interventions could not be attributed completely for improving adolescent health. Further long term interventional studies are required to develop a robust evidence on improving health of adolescents in India.

Cultural consensus modelling to understand the reproductive health needs of South African adolescent girls.

BackgroundCultural consensus modelling (CCM) is an approach whereby individuals define the boundaries regarding a set of knowledge or behaviours shared by a group within a culture using an ethnographic approach.ObjectivesTo provide an overview of CCM methods and the application of CCM to examine South African adolescent girls’ contraceptive and HIV prevention practices.MethodsIn phase 1 of a CCM approach, individuals respond to questions about their culture rather than their individual behaviours, allowing individuals to draw upon a shared cultural knowledge. Utilising these identified group beliefs, phase 2 asks individuals to rate the extent to which factors identified in phase 1 are valued. Phase 3 utilises qualitative interviews with key informants from phase 2 to gather in-depth information regarding the identified determinants of the health behaviour. Lastly, phase 4 of this approach conducts a quantitative survey to determine the extent to which cultural consensus model types are associated with differences in actual behaviours.ResultsCCM data analytic approaches are described. Frequencies and descriptive statistics for the free listing are conducted. For phase 2, cultural consensus analysis is conducted to examine whether one or several consensus models exist and competence scores are calculated. Standard qualitative analysis approaches are utilised for phase 3. Phase 4 employs regression to examine the association between cultural models and an outcome of interest.ConclusionCCM provides a novel, culturally sensitive understanding of reproductive health practices among South African adolescent girls; CCM also has broad applicability to other adolescent health research domains.

Evaluating effectiveness in adolescent mental health inpatient units: A systematic review.

Adolescent mental health research is a developing area. Inpatient units are the most widely used acute element of adolescent mental health services internationally. Little is known about inpatient units, particularly when it comes to measuring improvement for adolescents. Clinical outcome measurement in the broad context has gathered momentum in recent years, driven by the need to assess services. The measurement of outcomes for adolescents who access inpatient care is critical, as they are particularly vulnerable and are often considered the most difficult to treat. Following the PRISMA guidelines, the aim of this review was to assess whether adolescent inpatient units are effective and understand how outcomes are measured. CINAHL, MEDLINE with Full Text, ERIC, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched. Studies were included if the inpatient units were generic and adolescents were between the mean age of 12-25years. Furthermore, studies published in English within the last ten years were included. Exclusions were outpatient and disorder-specific inpatient settings. A total of 16 studies were identified. Each study demonstrated effectiveness on at least one outcome measure in terms of symptom stabilization. However, several outcome measures were used and therefore inpatient units lack consistency in how they measure improvement. Inpatient units are effective for the majority of young people as they result in symptom stabilization. Whilst symptom stabilization can be achieved, future research examining the mechanism of change is needed.

Adolescent health and health care in the Arab Gulf countries: Today's needs and tomorrow's challenges.

This review article documents the evidence regarding the health status of adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years in the Arab region and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) and also considers the state of adolescent health care in the region compared to the recommended guidelines for such services. Adolescents make up more than 25% of the population of the GCC countries, a percentage that is far higher than that in other high-income countries, yet their health status and health care needs are not given proportional attention in the region. Thus, the burden of mortality and morbidity for adolescents in the region has shifted from communicable diseases to road traffic injuries, mental health issues, non-communicable diseases, and health-compromising behaviors and conditions that contribute to those issues. Whereas the sources of evidence are limited with respect to some issues, such as mental health issues, sexual and reproductive health, and alcohol use, other health issues, such as rising rates of tobacco use, low levels of physical activity, minimal consumption of fruit and vegetables, and high levels of obesity, are better-documented. Many health care providers see adolescents who have limited or no training in adolescent health care and adolescents who are transitioned to the adult care system at young ages without the necessary health care transition services, thus creating challenges for these individuals to access developmentally appropriate health care. Recommendations include prioritizing health care practice, health care facilities, clinical education, and adolescent health research to address key aspects of adolescent health and adolescent medical care in the GCC countries. This could be accomplished through the development of adolescent health care centers that bring together expert interdisciplinary care, excellent health provider training, and cutting-edge adolescent health research to provide leadership throughout the region and further both the health of adolescents and their access to high-quality, holistic health services.

Research Priorities for Adolescent Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Mixed-Methods Synthesis of Two Separate Exercises

Background In order to clarify priorities and stimulate research in adolescent health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted two priority-setting exercises based on the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methodology related to 1) adolescent sexual and reproductive health and 2) eight areas of adolescent health including communicable diseases prevention and management, injuries and violence, mental health, non-communicable diseases management, nutrition, physical activity, substance use, and health policy. Although the CHNRI methodology has been utilized in over 50 separate research priority setting exercises, none have qualitatively synthesized the ultimate findings across studies. The purpose of this study was to conduct a mixed-method synthesis of two research priority-setting exercises for adolescent health in LMICs based on the CHNRI methodology and to situate the priority questions within the current global health agenda. Methods All of the 116 top-ranked questions presented in each exercise were analyzed by two independent reviewers. Word clouds were generated based on keywords from the top-ranked questions. Questions were coded and content analysis was conducted based on type of delivery platform, vulnerable populations, and the Survive, Thrive, and Transform framework from the United Nations Global Strategy for Women's, Children's, and Adolescents' Health, 2016-2030. Findings Within the 53 top-ranked intervention-related questions that specified a delivery platform, the platforms specified were schools (n = 17), primary care (n = 12), community (n = 11), parenting (n = 6), virtual media (n = 5), and peers (n = 2). Twenty questions specifically focused on vulnerable adolescents, including those living with HIV, tuberculosis, mental illness, or neurodevelopmental disorders; victims of gender-based violence; refugees; young persons who inject drugs; sex workers; slum dwellers; out-of-school youth; and youth in armed conflict. A majority of the top-ranked questions (108/116) aligned with one or a combination of the Survive (n = 39), Thrive (n = 67), and Transform (n = 28) agendas. Conclusions This study advances the CHNRI methodology by conducting the first mixed-methods synthesis of multiple research priority-setting exercises by analyzing keywords (using word clouds) and themes (using content analysis).

Development and Assessment of Measures of Adolescents' Attitudes about Sexual Relationship Rights

ABSTRACTObjective: Develop and validate measures of adolescents' attitudes about sexual relationship rights. Methods: Items were completed by students in a large U.S. city (N = 655). The authors conducted an exploratory factor analysis, evaluated internal consistency, and assessed construct validity, including ability to predict sexual behavior at 1-year follow-up. Results: Factor analysis identified 2 distinct factors, comprising attitudes about rights to refuse unwanted sexual activity (5 items) and express sexual engagement needs (5 items) in a sexual relationship. The measures showed sound evidence of reliability and construct validity. Conclusions: The psychometric evidence supports the use of these measures in adolescent sexual health research.

A longitudinal study of the bidirectional relationship between adolescent depression and sleep problems

Objective To explore the bidirectional relationship between adolescent depression and sleep problems using the structural equation model (SEM)approach in a cross-lagged model. Methods The three-round longitudinal data of 1006 adolescents (aged from 12 to 18) were analyzed which were drawn from a longitudinal study named Chinese Adolescent Mental Health Research Program.The adolescents were assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale(CES-D) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI). The studies were conducted about every 12 months in three years. Results The scores of depression were 5.55±4.70 at first round, 6.68±5.68 at the second round and 7.00±5.41 at the third round.The scores of sleep problems were 5.01±2.72 at the second round and 5.25±2.76 at the third round. The correlation analyses showed that there were significant cross-sectional and cross-waves correlations between depression and sleep problems(r=0.20~0.56, P 0.05). Conclusion There is a stable bidirectional relationship between adolescent depression and sleep problems across time instead of a one-way relationship. Adolescent depression and sleep problems can predict each other during adolescent development. Key words: Sleep; Depression; Adolescent; Bidirectional relationship

Using photovoice in adolescent health research: a case-study of the Well-being of Adolescents in Vulnerable Environments (WAVE) Study in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Photovoice is a participatory action research method in which people are given cameras and asked to take pictures of specific issues within their community. It is often used among marginalised populations. This method helps people capture specific issues within their community using photographs, critically discuss these issues within a group and present their findings to inform policies within their community. Photovoice has been used in developed countries and among adult participants; however, the extent to which it has been used in developing countries and among adolescent participants is yet to be extensively reported. In this paper, we describe the use of photovoice among male and female adolescents aged 15-19 years who participated in the qualitative phase (phase I) of the Well-being of Adolescents in Vulnerable Environments (WAVE) study in Ibadan, Nigeria. The main study was conducted among adolescents residing in disadvantaged communities within five global cities (Baltimore, USA; Ibadan, Nigeria; Johannesburg, South Africa; New Delhi, India and Shanghai, China). Our findings revealed that adolescents in Ibadan were very eager to participate, remained fully engaged throughout the process and the data obtained were rich and detailed. Some challenges encountered with using this method were that younger adolescents had a tendency to attain saturation when taking pictures much earlier than older adolescents; however, they equally discussed the pictures taken enthusiastically. Overall, our findings affirm that photovoice as a data collection method can be successfully used in research among adolescents in developing countries like Nigeria.

Advancing Evidence-Based Assessment in School Mental Health: Key Priorities for an Applied Research Agenda.

Evidence-based assessment (EBA) is a critically important aspect of delivering high-quality, school-based mental health care for youth. However, research in this area is limited and additional applied research on how best to support the implementation of EBA in school mental health (SMH) is needed. Accordingly, this manuscript seeks to facilitate the advancement of research on EBA in SMH by reviewing relevant literature on EBA implementation in schools and providing recommendations for key research priorities. Given the limited number of published studies available, findings from child and adolescent mental health and implementation science research are also included to inform a robust and comprehensive research agenda on this topic. Based on this literature review, five priorities for research on EBA in SMH are outlined: (1) effective identification of assessment targets, (2) appropriate selection of assessment measures, (3) investigation of organizational readiness for EBA, (4) study of implementation support for EBA, and (5) promotion of EBA data integration and use. Each priority area includes recommended directions for future research. A comprehensive and robust research agenda is warranted to build the science and practice of implementing EBA in SMH. Specific directions for this agenda are offered.

Research Priorities for Eight Areas of Adolescent Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

PurposeTo conduct an expert-led process for identifying research priorities for eight areas of adolescent health in low- and middle-income countries. Specific adolescent health areas included communicable diseases prevention and management, injuries and violence, mental health, noncommunicable diseases management, nutrition, physical activity, substance use, and health policy. MethodsWe used a modified version of the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative methodology for reaching consensus on research priorities. In a three phase process, we (1) identified research and program experts with wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences from all geographic regions through systematic searches and key informants; (2) invited these experts to propose research questions related to descriptive epidemiology, interventions (discovery, development/testing, and delivery/implementation), and health policy/systems; and (3) asked the experts to prioritize the research questions based on five criteria: clarity, answerability, importance or impact, implementation, and equity. ResultsA total of 142 experts submitted 512 questions which were edited and reduced to 303 for scoring. Overall, the types of the top 10 research questions in each of the eight health areas included descriptive epidemiology (26%), interventions: discovery (11%), development/testing (25%), delivery (33%), and policy, health and social systems (5%). Across health areas, the top questions highlighted integration of health services, vulnerable populations, and different health platforms (such as primary care, schools, families/parents, and interactive media). ConclusionsPriority questions have been identified for research in eight key areas of adolescent health in low- and middle-income countries. These expert-generated questions may be used by donors, program managers, and researchers to prioritize and stimulate research in adolescent health.

George Patton: global leader in adolescent health

“What's a guy like you doing in a place like this?”, asked a criminologist to George Patton at a meeting on re-engagement for young offenders in Melbourne, Australia, 15 years ago. The colleague was referring to Patton's background in clinical psychiatry and epidemiology, and his work at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Today, Patton is a Professorial Fellow in Adolescent Health Research at the University of Melbourne and the nearby Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and his eclectic professional positions have been an asset in his role as Chair of the Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeingUnprecedented global forces are shaping the health and wellbeing of the largest generation of 10 to 24 year olds in human history. Population mobility, global communications, economic development, and the sustainability of ecosystems are setting the future course for this generation and, in turn, humankind.1,2 At the same time, we have come to new understandings of adolescence as a critical phase in life for achieving human potential. Adolescence is characterised by dynamic brain development in which the interaction with the social environment shapes the capabilities an individual takes forward into adult life. Full-Text PDF

“Why Is This Person Writing This Stuff on Facebook?” Female College Students' Perceptions of Sexual Reference Displays on Facebook

Social networking sites (SNS) are popular; adolescents and young adults can display sexual content. The purpose of this study was to explore female college students' perception of sexual reference posts on Facebook. Female students aged 18-24 years were recruited at two large state universities. The study and analysis took place from September 2012 to March 2016. Focus group questions were directed to discussion of sexual reference displays, discussions recorded and qualitative analysis performed. In total, 23 women participated in 5 focus groups. Three major themes emerged: (1) Perceived reasons for posting a sexual references (2) Participant's initial reaction or interpretation when reading sexual reference posts. (3) Perceived consequences of posting sexual references. Findings provide insight into females' perceived link between online and offline sexual behavior. Key Words: 1. Adolescence 2. College student 3. Social Media 4. Adolescent Sexuality Social Networking Sites (SNS) have become increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults as an avenue for socialization and identity exploration. Over 80% of college students use a SNS and college students are more likely to disclose personal information online then in their offline life. (Christofides, Muise, & Desmarais, 2009; Moreno, Brockman, Wasserheit, & Christakis, 2012; Moreno, Swanson, Royer, & Roberts, 2011; Smith, Rainie, & Zickuhr, 2011) Information shared on SNS can shape social norms and have potential offline consequences. A previous study among college students found that participants believed that displayed alcohol references on Facebook were believable, (Moreno, Christakis, Egan, Brockman, & Becker, 2012; Moreno, Grant, Kacvinsky, Egan, & Fleming, 2012) while another study illustrated that participants who displayed alcohol references on Facebook related to intoxication were more likely to meet problem drinking criteria. (Moreno, Christakis, et al., 2012; Westgate, Neighbors, Heppner, Jahn, & Lindgren, 2014) Timely exploration of SNS content among young people may provide insight into normative beliefs and behaviors of this population not captured by traditional surveillance methods and have important implications for adolescent health care providers and researchers. SNS are commonly used to initiate and maintain friendships and romantic relationships as they can display a variety of personal information by users. (Moreno, Brockman, et al., 2012) Such sites provide a venue for adolescents and emerging adults to express their identities which can include references to sexuality and sexual behaviors. (Moreno, Brockman, et al., 2012) Prior research has found that teenage SNS displayers of sexual and romantic references were predominately older and more sexually experienced compared to non-displayers. (Doornwaard, Moreno, van den Eijnden, Vanwesenbeeck, & Ter Bogt, 2014) In addition, those who displayed sexual references perceived that more of their peers approved of sex, supporting that SNS can influence behavioral norms. (Doornwaard et al., 2014) Other studies have linked sexual reference displays with sexual intention and even heightened sexual expectations of the displayer. (Moreno, Brockman, et al., 2012; Moreno, Parks, Zimmerman, Brito, & Christakis, 2009; Moreno et al., 2011) Adolescents and young adults are at risk for adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes, such as sexual assault, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy,(Murray, 2014; Cuffe, Newton-Levinson, Gift, McFarlane, & Leichliter, 2016) thus their sex related behavior on social media may elucidate important opportunities for preventive interventions. Previous research has studied male perceptions of sexual reference displays on Facebook, (Moreno et al., 2011) however female perceptions are less well understood. As young women are disproportionately affected by consequences of sexual risk taking, their viewpoint is very important. …

Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Sport: Continuing Education Opportunities for Coaches and Future Directions for Health Promotion of Athletes

Purpose: Higher educational attainment is linked to better longterm health outcomes. Summer enrichment programs for high school students build tangible skills to promote college and career readiness. These programs have grown in demand as the academic and employment climate have become more competitive. Few publications inform the development of enrichment programs focused on educating adolescents in research. In July 2015, the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team hosted its first Summer Scholars program. The purpose of this program was to engage adolescents towards achieving three objectives: 1. developing research skills, 2. learning about research careers, and 3. conducting their own research project. Methods: The principles of Experiential, Applied and ProblemBased Learning guided curriculum development. Four primary components structured curriculum design: Research Process, Poster Presentation, Mentor Support Groups, and Career Exposure. Aim 1: The research process and poster presentation curriculum was a stepwise progression incorporating learned activities followed by an opportunity to directly apply to the individual’s research project. The mentor support groups provided continuous individualized guidance and feedback. Aim 2: The career exposure involved interactive tours, expert panels, and training on the diverse career opportunities. Aim 3: The primary variable of interest was the completion of an independent research project and poster presentation. Assessments included a preand post-survey to measure acquired skills and comfort with material. In addition, the post-survey included program evaluation questions to collect participant feedback. Results: Twenty-five scholars, 88% female, 28% Caucasian, and an average age of 16, successfully completed the program. Aim 1: The majority of Summer Scholars reported an increase in understanding of the steps of the research process at the end of the program (81%). Aim 2: Working with mentors and career exposure were frequently highlighted as favorite parts of the program. Aim 3: All participants presented a completed research project. For example, one project was an observational field study evaluating phone use while crossing the street. Another project used a survey to investigate the associations of online emojis with mood. Most participants conducted content analysis or developed surveys to answer questions related to health and social media. Most (80%) reported an increase in comfort and understanding with public speaking and presenting. The most frequent suggestion for improvement was to increase the length of the program.

Conceptual Model on Participatory Adolescent Strategic Health Action (PASHA)

Research in adolescent preventive health is an urgent need. To develop a strategic approach a comprehensive model of adolescent lifestyle practices and health status is required. A wide ranging model on Participatory adolescent strategic health action (PASHA) delineates the importance of assessing the lifestyle of adolescents to determine the health status. The model focuses on lifestyle modification in order to improve the health status of the adolescents. The concepts sketch the importance of healthy lifestyle leading to reduced health risk. The model will smooth the progress of research on adolescent for the promotion of healthy lifestyles practices.