Youth Behavior Research Articles

Active bystanders in the forwarding of sexting messages: Applying a theory of planned behavior in youth

This study explored youth’s intention to engage in active bystander behavior in response to non-consensual forwarding of sexts (NCFS). The study paid attention to the possible conditional boundaries of these suggested dynamics based on youth’s empathy levels and sex. An online survey was conducted among 1337 Belgian respondents, of which 78.4% were female ( Mage = 21.64 years, SD = 3.57 years). Structural equation modeling showed that positive attitude and injunctive norms, higher descriptive norms, and greater perceived behavioral control regarding active bystander behaviors in the context of NCFS were related to youth’s intention to engage in such active bystander behaviors, which in turn was related to actual active bystander behavior. Differences were found based on youth’s empathy levels, though no sex differences were found. The findings provide a critical foundation for highly needed intervention approaches and educational curricula seeking to diminish the occurrence of NCFS in youth.

The nexus between spirituality and personal financial behavior: a study of students with entrepreneurial intentions

PurposeThe current study explores the relation between students' spiritual quotient (SQ) and personal financial planning (PFP). The students with entrepreneurial intentions were considered for the present study.Design/methodology/approachThe students from higher educational institutes with an intention to be entrepreneurs were considered for data collection. Using a well-designed, closed-ended questionnaire, primary data from college and university students was collected. Using quota sampling, a total of 189 responses were gathered, however the responses of students with entrepreneurial intentions (n = 100) were considered for analysis. To investigate the relationship between PFP and SQ, descriptive analysis, Spearman's rank correlation and forecasted trend line were employed.FindingsThe study revealed a significant positive relationship between PFP and SQ. Thus, SQ also has potential to determine individuals' investment behavior. The study suggests that students' spiritual development can determine their PFP and entrepreneurial actions.Practical implicationsThe outcome of the study can be practically used to explore the investment pattern and behavior of youth. The study would further benefit the stakeholders including issuers, developers and consultants involved in the creation and distribution of financial products. The study guides researchers to undertake further research in this domain.Originality/valueThe existing literature on personal financial behavior has lacked in establishing a relationship between spirituality and investment decisions. The present study is novel in substantiating this void. We contribute to the advancement of literature in behavioral finance. This study identifies multifaceted factors that shape investors' behaviors and preferences in finance and proposes the avenues for future research.

Comparison of Scheduled Caste Youth Lifestyles and Those of Other Castes in Tamil Nadu: Youth Subculture and Identity

Social institutions and structures are crucial in shaping individual personalities and facilitating transitions, but systemic barriers can hinder youth’s smooth transition to adulthood and participation in society. When a transition fails, an identity crisis occurs and develops identity confusion as a result they will not have a clear sense of their role in society. No research has been done on the identity problems and transition challenges faced by Scheduled Caste Youth in Tamil Nadu, India. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate how rural youth in Tamil Nadu are influenced by socio-economic, political and cultural factors in forming their identity. Qualitative research techniques like case studies and focus group discussions were employed to examine the perspectives of youth from Katchipattu and Pattunool Chatram villages in Tamil Nadu. The results of the study highlight the significance of sub-cultural context, caste system and social exclusion in shaping youth attitudes and behaviours.

Ask Your Relative: A mixed method analysis of the Sexual Health and Healthy Relationship Q&As submitted by American Indian Alaska Native young adults

BackgroundDisparities in sexual health outcomes persist among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) youth due to intersectional challenges accessing youth-friendly health services. AIAN youth have an increased prevalence of STIs and teen pregnancy. To address disparities in sexual health outcomes, the Ask Auntie/Ask Your Relative (AYR) Q&A service has been used by AIAN youth and young adults for over seven years as a trusted resource for information on sensitive health topics. There is a continued need to better understand the health-seeking behaviors of AIAN youth, especially those related to healthy relationships and sexual health, to improve the alignment of health resources to their needs.MethodsThis mixed-method study began with two phases. Phase 1 involved an analysis of all AYR data using Google Analytics and basic frequency counts. Phase 2 reviewed all questions and answers related to sexual health and healthy relationships (N = 240) using thematic analysis, NVivo 12.0, and intersectionality, guided by the social determinants of health. All AYR answers were coded based on type, name/location, number of times viewed, and examples. The final step of the analytic process was to utilize an intersectional approach and socioecological model (Individual, Community, Tribe/Nation, and World) to create a visual model with results.ResultsPhase 1—Since We R Native began tracking AYR data, the service has been utilized by 2.37 M users, with 1.16 M unique pageviews. The average time on the page was 4 min and 46 s. The number of AYR questions submitted varied by year, and were most frequent in 2016, then decreased in subsequent years. In Phase 2, the main themes identified in AYR questions were (1) Reaching Out for Help, (2) Identity and Physical Development, and (3) Healthy Relationships. Analysis of the Q&A answers identified 244 resources, and of these, 100 were Native-specific. The context-specific resources represented 21 uniquely coded health topics, ranging from women's health to behavioral health.ConclusionsThe broad range of healthy relationship and sexual health questions submitted to the AYR service reflects the types of health information that AIAN young adults want to know about. Resources provided in response to their questions connected Q&A viewers to a wide variety of organizations and programs designed to support AIAN young adults in their health and wellness journey. Findings from this study may be useful for creating additional culturally tailored resources.

Better suicidality detection among minority, preteens needed

Observing that hospital emergency departments may be missing signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Black and Hispanic youth, boys and preteens, researchers of a new study published in JAMA Open Network are calling for improved detection of suicidality in this population and the need to address these disparities.

Unravelling Suicide and Related Behaviours in Indigenous Youth and Young Adults in the Canadian Context

Unravelling Suicide and Related Behaviours in Indigenous Youth and Young Adults in the Canadian Context

Factors influencing youth sports participation in India: A narrative review

Through this narrative review, we attempted to summarize and dissect the multiple dimensions affecting youth sports participation in India, using current literature to cover a broad spectrum of socio-cultural, economic, educational, and policy infrastructure; physical health; as well as media and technology perspectives. The analysis reveals that youth sports engagement is significantly influenced by familial, peer, and community dynamics, alongside cultural attitudes and gender disparities. Economic barriers, including affordability and accessibility of sports facilities, pose challenges, particularly for marginalized communities. Educational institutions play a pivotal role in fostering sports participation but face challenges in balancing academic pressures. Policy and infrastructure deficiencies hinder participation, necessitating robust interventions and community-based initiatives. Health considerations underscore the importance of managing injury risks and promoting inclusive programs. Moreover, media and technology emerge as powerful influencers, shaping youth attitudes and behaviors towards sports. This review also emphasizes the need for nuanced interventions and further research to more effectively reduce disparities and ensure inclusive youth sports participation in India.

Electoral Behavior of Russian Youth of the Digital Generation

The article is devoted to the analysis of the electoral behavior of Russian youth of the digital generation (aged 18–24 years). The empirical basis of the study was made up of data from an interregional youth survey conducted by the authors in 2023, as well as data from a WCIOM study in 2024. The relatively low level of their participation in the electoral process and in general in socio-political activities is considered as a feature of the electoral behavior of young people of the digital generation. At the same time, a steady trend towards a decrease in youth absenteeism has been identified, which is manifested in the formation of an intermediate group of young people with a more positive attitude towards elections. Subject to comprehensive constructive actions on the part of the state and civil society institutions, this group can be included in the electoral process. The study showed that young people of the digital generation are quite well informed about the possibility of online voting, although the vast majority of young people aged 18–25 years do not have practical experience in participating in remote electronic voting. For young people who ignore the institution of elections, the form of voting is not significant. A tendency has been discovered towards a decrease in the electoral activity of girls of the digital generation, who are inferior to young men in other indicators of socio-political activity.

Reliability, reproducibility, and feasibility of youth activity profile (YAP) questionnaire in Chilean children and adolescents

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, reproducibility, and feasibility of the Youth Activity Profile Questionnaire (YAP-SL) in the Chilean version (YAP-C) in a sample of children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 160 youth, 59 children (5–11 years old), and 101 adolescents (12–17 years old) from the city of Viña del Mar (Chile). The YAP-SL is a 15-item self-report instrument which was administered twice at an interval of 7 days apart. This questionnaire was designed to capture physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in youths in the last week, categorizing them into three domains: PA at school, PA out-of-school, and sedentary habits. Cronbach’s α coefficients were calculated to evaluate the internal consistency (reliability), and the reproducibility was determined by test-retest and Kendall’s tau b coefficients. Concerning the total YAP-C score, results indicated moderate-to-high reliability in the total sample (0.71), boys (0.76) and girls (0.66), as well as for children (0.73) and adolescents (0.70). The results also revealed variations in reliability and reproducibility across the three domains. In conclusion, the YAP-SL questionnaire presents moderate-to-high reliability in Chilean children and adolescents. However, the reliability and consistency of the YAP varied across the domains.

Interactive advertising as a new factor of influence on consumer behaviour of youth

The article is devoted to the analysis of interactive advertising as a relatively new factor influencing the consumer behaviour of Moscow youth. The empirical basis of the work are statistical and sociological research data, including the authors’ own research conducted using the methods of mass survey and indepth interview. As the study has showed, the Moscow youth are quite familiar with the interactive advertising, most often encountering it on mobile devices and in gaming applications. The article analyses several types of the interactive advertising, differing in the degree of their impact on the consumer behaviour of young people. The authors come to the conclusion that the most effective in this regard are playable and video advertising placed in mobile device applications. As advantages of the interactive advertising, in comparison with the traditional format, the authors highlight its innovation and playful nature. At the same time, many young Muscovites express a negative attitude towards the interactive advertising, mainly because of its intrusiveness. Moreover, young men demonstrate greater loyalty to this format of advertising influence in comparison with young ladies. The authors come to the conclusion that, despite the noted shortcomings, the interactive advertising has great potential for development in modern society.

Smoking and vaping: the behaviour of Flemish youth and young adults scrutinised

Smoking and vaping: the behaviour of Flemish youth and young adults scrutinised

Some objective factors influencing delinquent behavior of regional youth in the 2000s

Delinquent behavior and objective factors influencing it have been considered. It should be noted that crime is a complex phenomenon, which is influenced by many factors. Modern scientists combine these factors into two large groups such as subjective (or socio-cultural) and objective (or socio-economic). In order to study the latter and establish the existence of a relationship between them and youth crime, we have selected the most common criminal acts committed in the youth environment such as theft and robbery, as well as the most numerous crimes committed by young people against life and health such as infliction of minor and moderate harm to health. Among objective factors, we have chosen the indicators that can have the strongest impact on youth crime as a whole and on its individual categories such as ­average monthly accrued wages in the region, cash income per capita, and average per capita consumer spending. According to the conducted simple statistical analysis results, an inverse correlation between the number of criminals committing property crimes and the selected socio-economic factors has been revealed. Due to the use of a simple research method, it was not possible to establish any dependence of the number of young people committing crimes against property on the selected objective (socio-economic) factors.

Reproductive behavior of youth: theory and key factors

The reproductive behavior concept has been considered, which is the key to personal behavior formation in the context of childbirth and family formation. The analysis of approaches to reproductive behavior has been carried out, due to which main factors influencing reproductive behavior patterns formation have been highlighted. Material provision, the possibility to give children quality education and decent living conditions, the place of family and children in the system of values, as well as cultural norms in the complex influence behavior development in relation to family planning and childbirth. Currently, there is a problem of combining parenthood and the image of a successful careerist, so there is competition between the value aspects. The value of family and parenthood remains high, while the need for children decreases. In addition, psychological motives for having children prevail over economic and social ones. The topic of reproductive letting down contains many sides that need to be subjected to analysis. The difficulty lies in the fact that not only we operate with actual objective data, but also deal with personal and psychological characteristics, which complicates the analysis procedure, so it is necessary to further study the issue.

Longitudinal panel networks of risk and protective factors for early adolescent suicidality in the ABCD sample.

Rates of youth suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are rising, and younger age at onset increases vulnerability to negative outcomes. However, few studies have investigated STBs in early adolescence (ages 10-13), and accurate prediction of youth STBs remains poor. Network analyses that can examine pairwise associations between many theoretically relevant variables may identify complex pathways of risk for early adolescent STBs. The present study applied longitudinal network analysis to examine interrelations between STBs and several previously identified risk and protective factors. Data came from 9,854 youth in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study cohort (Mage = 9.90 ± .62 years, 63% white, 53% female at baseline). Youth and their caregivers completed an annual measurement battery between ages 9-10 through 11-12 years. Panel Graphical Vector Autoregressive models evaluated associations between STBs and several mental health symptoms, socioenvironmental factors, life stressors, and substance use. In the contemporaneous and between-subjects networks, direct associations were observed between STBs and internalizing symptoms, substance use, family conflict, lower parental monitoring, and lower school protective factors. Potential indirect pathways of risk for STBs were also observed. Age-specific interventions may benefit from prioritizing internalizing symptoms and early substance use, as well as promoting positive school and family support.

Using mobile eye-tracking to evaluate gaze behavior during a speech in pediatric anxiety disorders

BackgroundAltered gaze in social settings is a hallmark of social anxiety; however, little research directly examines gaze in anxiety-provoking contexts among youth with anxiety disorders, limiting mechanistic insight into pediatric anxiety. The present study leveraged mobile eye-tracking technology to examine gaze behavior during a naturalistic stressor in a clinical developmental sample. MethodsSixty-one youth (ages 8–17 years; 28 with anxiety disorders, 33 non-anxious controls) completed a naturalistic social stress task (public speaking in front of a videotaped classroom audience) while wearing eye-tracking glasses. Gaze behavior and state anxiety were quantified in each group during two task conditions: while giving a speech and while passively viewing the audience. ResultsAnxiety-related differences emerged in state anxiety and gaze behavior. First, a significant interaction between diagnostic group and task condition on state anxiety indicated that while anxiety increased among non-anxious controls following the speech, youth with anxiety disorders reported persistently elevated anxiety across all assessments. Second, a significant interaction emerged between social anxiety symptom severity and task condition on gaze time on the audience. While youth overall showed low dwell time on the audience during speech delivery, individuals with greater social anxiety showed longer gaze on the audience during the passive viewing condition. This pattern was specific to dimensional analyses of social anxiety symptom severity. LimitationsThe current study was not sufficiently powered to examine age-related differences. ConclusionsThese findings highlight anxiety-related differences in gaze behavior in youth, providing new mechanistic insight into pediatric anxiety using mobile eye-tracking.

Randomized Clinical Trial to Increase Self-Monitoring of Physical Activity and Eating Behaviors in Youth: A Feasibility Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Mobile health (mHealth) has the potential to reduce reliance on in-person healthcare visits, making monitoring of health, eating, and physical activity less burdensome. There is a great need to develop and test mHealth tools for pediatric weight loss programs to enhance clinical practice. This study aimed to test the feasibility of utilizing a tailored suite of mHealth components to augment an existing evidence-based in-person pediatric weight management program. Method Using a two-group randomized superiority trial design, participants who completed baseline measurement were randomized to Brenner Families in Training (Brenner FIT) or Brenner FIT + mHealth (Brenner mFIT), and follow-up measures were completed at 3 and 6 months. Feasibility was assessed in terms of screening, recruitment, randomization, retention, and the assessment process. Acceptability was assessed in terms of program completion, and implementation fidelity was assessed in terms of logging activity, frequency of self-monitoring, goal setting, and retention rate. Results Overall, 173 dyads were eligible for enrollment based on inclusion criteria. Twenty-five dyads consented to participate. Sixteen dyads completed baseline psychosocial questionnaires, eight dyads completed at least two 24-h dietary recalls, and 20 (youth) participants returned accelerometers. Of the 14 dyads who completed enrollment, seven dyads were each randomized into the intervention and control groups, with ten and five dyads retained at three and six months, respectively. A total of four caregivers and two youth who utilized the website for goal setting set at least one goal, all seven youth linked their activity tracker, and most downloaded at least one video (two youth) or podcast (six caregivers). Conclusions Our results suggest that the assessment protocol was overly burdensome, the intervention had low acceptability, and the study as designed was not feasible to complete. Future studies should evaluate barriers and facilitators to the uptake of mHealth.

Battle of the E-cowarriors: Differential effects of environmental appeals by influencers and organizations on youth's pro-environmental attitudes and behavior intentions

Environmental social media influencers (SMIs)—or ‘greenfluencers’—nowadays receive considerable scholarly and public attention. Yet, SMIs' persuasive power compared to institutional sources like environmental nonprofit organizations (ENPOs) on social media remains uninvestigated. We address this gap with a pre-registered between-subjects experiment (N = 269) among 16-to-25-year-olds from Belgium using real SMIs and ENPOs. We find that both sources affect pro-environmental outcomes, but via different mechanisms and among different groups. ENPOs are perceived as more trustworthy, which translates to higher pro-environmental attitudes and behavior intentions. SMIs affect pro-environmental behavior intentions via wishful identification and perceived similarity—yet only among women with higher environmental concern. Both sources stimulate pro-environmental outcomes via perceptions of attainability. Finally, SMIs' effects on pro-environmental outcomes are not fully explained by these source perceptions, which points to the necessity to study additional mechanisms. Overall, our findings illuminate important boundary conditions and mechanisms of newfangled pro-environmental persuasion via social media.

Understanding Online Gaming Habits and Attitudes among Youth: A FGD Study of Gaming Behaviours, Social Interactions, and Psychological Effects

Asia has one of the highest incidences of online gaming, making it a favourite pastime among youth worldwide. However, research shows that excessive gaming can have detrimental effects on one's health, academic performance, and social development, and the economic relevance of the online gaming industry emphasizes the need to understand the attitudes and behaviours of youth towards online gaming. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the attitudes and habits of youth towards online gaming to develop strategies that promote healthy gaming behaviour. The study used a focus group discussion with three groups of youth, totalling 16 participants. The study found that the participants engaged in prolonged online gaming sessions, and individuals had different motivations for playing games, including relaxation, stress relief, escapism, and achievement. The findings demonstrated the varied ways in which gaming can impact socialization and psychological, both positively and negatively. While gaming can provide relaxation and social connection, it can also lead to negative impacts, such as distraction and addiction. Additionally, the data from the participants in this study reveal a range of potential psychological issues associated with online gaming, including anger management, the conflict between parents and children, addiction, risky behaviours, and compulsive behaviour. The findings of this study can help Malaysian politicians, educators, and parents create measures to encourage healthy gaming behaviours and lessen the harmful effects of excessive gaming. Keywords: Online gaming, gaming behaviours, social interactions, psychological effects, online gaming habits.

Sexual Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviors of Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Exposure to sexually explicit media influences the sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of youth, so studying this among medical students is of utmost importance. Aim: To study sexual knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and sources of influence among medical students. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical, web-based study was conducted to assess sexual knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and sources influencing sexuality in medical students via Google Forms. The form consisted of three parts: the first part was an information sheet and consent form, the second part included the participant’s sociodemographic data and the third part related to two study tools, the Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire-II (SKAQ-II) and the sexual behavior and sources of influence scale. Result: A total of 300/950 (31.5%) medical students responded to the Google questionnaire. Their mean age was 20.43 ± 1.87 years (range: 18–26 years). The mean score for sexual knowledge and attitude was 24.35 ± 4.93 and 23.79 ± 4.87, respectively, which suggested that they had good sexual knowledge and liberal attitudes toward sexuality with female preponderance. As student’s academic year progresses, their sexual knowledge improves. There was a significant strong positive correlation between sexual attitude and knowledge with a Pearson correlation of r = 0.95, P = 0.004, which means the higher the knowledge, the better the attitude. Medical student’s engagement in sexual behaviors with self- and others was at age 18.45 years. The internet was the major source for getting information related to sexual behaviors for them, but they relied on doctors and friends for guidance. Conclusion: Medical students had adequate sexual knowledge, which was the reason for their liberal attitude toward sexuality. Their major source of sexual knowledge was the internet, although they confided in doctors for sexual doubts.

The Impact of Social and Economic Status on the Marital Behaviour of Young People

The social and economic status significantly influences social development and individual behaviour, cultural factors and a deteriorating economic situation hinder youth marriage. This study aimed to highlight the impact of social and economic conditions on the marital behaviour of young people. The research employed a descriptive approach, based on a sample of 60 individuals. The results indicated that both social and economic conditions play a significant role in shaping the marital behaviour of youth, with an average impact score of 3.39. It was also found that the education level of both partners and tribal and familial affiliations affect this behaviour. Furthermore, the costs of marriage, driven by ostentatious consumption and the desire to emulate others, contribute to the decision-making process surrounding marriage. Finally, the findings confirmed that there is no significant difference in the impact of social and economic status on marital behaviour based on gender.