Youth Environment Research Articles

Competence of HLS: new practices of formation (experience of the regional network medical and social project)

Introduction. The article proposes a new strategy for preserving and strengthening public health through the formation of healthy lifestyle competencies in the youth environment. The object of the study was the student youth, as the most promising socio-demographic group of the population. The subject of the study was the mechanisms of social construction of conscious attitudes of young people to lead a healthy lifestyle. A new approach has been proposed and justified, contributing to the expansion and consolidation of knowledge about the impact of medical and social determinants of health on quality and life expectancy.Target. To identify and substantiate new effective practices for reducing risk factors for youth health, using existing scientific and practical knowledge and experienceMethods. In the course of the work, methods of theoretical generalization, content analysis, secondary analysis of empirical data, quantitative research method were applied. The scientific sources were domestic and foreign monographs, articles, results of dissertation research, methodological materials, university websites.Results. An original author’s project has been developed aimed at creating a network of social partners and contributing to improving the level of youth literacy in health issues.Conclusion. The participatory approach in strengthening and preserving public health is an effective method of forming knowledge about the culture of health and consolidating the competencies of healthy lifestyle.

К проблеме оценки риска радикализации в подростково-молодежной среде

Введение: сфокусированность внимания представителей социально-психологической науки на проблеме радикализации объясняется социальным запросом на профилактику данного явления в подростково-молодежной среде. Разработка инструментов оценки риска радикализации являет собой очень важный инструмент ранней диагностики. Цель: теоретико-аналитическое исследование с целью критического анализа существующих моделей оценки риска радикализации. Результаты: значительное внимание в работе уделено анализу инструментов оценки риска радикализации, которые используются в пенитенциарных системах ряда стран. Кроме того, обсуждаются модели оценки риска в более широкой популяции. Выводы: критический анализ существующих моделей радикализации позволяет прийти к заключению о необходимости рассмотрения процесса радикализации через призму такой теоретической традиции, которая была бы адекватна изучению самого феномена (радикализация, будучи процессом легитимизации терроризма, понимается как явление, происходящее в групповом контексте). Кроме того, модель оценки риска радикализации должна основываться на такой теоретической традиции, которая получила бы солидную экспериментальную проверку. Introduction: representatives of socio-psychological science focus their attention on the prob- lem of radicalization due to the social demand to prevent this phenomenon in the adolescent and youth environment. The development of tools for assessing radicalization risks is a very important tool for early diagnosis. Purpose: theoretical and analytical research to critically analyze current models for assessing radicalization risks. Results: considerable attention is paid to the analysis of tools for assessing radicalization risks, used in penitentiary systems of different countries. In addi- tion, risk assessment models in a wider population are discussed. Conclusion: the conducted study shows that it is necessary to consider the radicalization process through the prism of such a theo- retical tradition that would be adequate to the study of the phenomenon itself (radicalization, being a process of terrorism legitimization, is understood as a phenomenon occurring in a group context). In addition, the model for assessing radicalization risks should be based on a theoretical tradition that would receive a solid experimental test.

Young people assessment of measures to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic (on the example of Primorsky Region)

During the study, the reconstruction of the respondents' ideas about the three main preventive measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic was carried out: self-isolation, mask regimen and vaccination, using a questionnaire, interview, association experiment, as well as a private semantic differential. As we have found, students consider self-isolation to be the most effective measure to combat coronavirus (71% of respondents). The mask regimen was considered ineffective. The survey showed a very ambiguous attitude of young people to vaccination against coronavirus. As it was found out, in case of a conflict of motives, even if they are convinced of the effectiveness of this or that protective measure, many students are not ready to sacrifice their freedom of movement, communications and contact with the outside world, even for their own safety. Comfort is often considered more important than safety. The attitude towards restrictive measures was influenced by such values of the younger generation as the desire for comfort, love of freedom and the value of one's own life. This system of values corresponds to the influence of society. The interviews demonstrated that there are two groups in the youth environment that differ in their personal characteristics, life position and strategies for solving health problems. The first, "active" group is characterised mainly by a passive attitude towards health issues. The acceptance of the vaccine was carried out by this group under pressure from the state and the employer. The second group of young people is characterised by an active position, rationalism, and personal maturity. This also determines more rational strategies for solving health problems. The second group operates a wider and more scientific range of information sources. We believe that both social influence and personal characteristics of the respondents play an important role in the choice of behavioural strategies in this situation. The application of the association experiment method allowed to determine the characteristics of ideas about the state policy to counter the pandemic in the minds of students at the figurative, emotional and affective level. The categories of perception of the phenomenon were also defined, such as freedom, comfort, efficiency and safety.

Problems of the family institution in the youth environment

The problems of the family institution are reflected in the family values transformation. The patterns of family and marriage relations which are traditional for historical Russia come into conflict with modern realities. This transformation affects primarily the youth environment, putting young people in front of a tough choice between socially approved career growth and a quiet feat inconspicuous to the world within family relationships. The all-Russian study “Self-regulation of the Life of Young People in a Changing Social Reality”, conducted in the fall of 2020, revealed problematic aspects of marital relations. The traditional values of the family, which are historically common for Russia, are opposed to a set of modern values characteristic of the liberal model and sometimes inferior to the latter. The course laid down by the founders of communism to eliminate the monogamous family as an economic unit of society gives its late shoots refracting in the individualization of society, leveling the significance of official marriage unions and reducing the number of children in families. The results of the all-Russian sociological survey of young people make it possible to identify the real marital status of young people in Russia and to consider its models. The article analyzes the prevalence of so-called “civil marriages” and the correction of attitudes towards them by official bodies. The author gives the rationale for the growing popularity of the “Japanese model” in marital relations, as well as the reasons that push young people to short-term marriage unions fraught with loneliness. The nature of young people relationship with their parents is considered and different generations of youth are compared. The idea of the respondents about the meaning of the family is investigated and the main motives for marriage are established. The number of children in modern youth families is revealed and trends in various social groups are analyzed. Conclusions are drawn about the instability of the family institution in the modern world and the need to protect it by the state.

ПРОПАГАНДИСТСЬКА ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ УЧАСНИКІВ ПІДПІЛЬНО-ПОВСТАНСЬКОГО РУХУ В ЗАХІДНИХ ОБЛАСТЯХ УРСР ПІСЛЯ ЇХ ПОВЕРНЕННЯ З ТАБОРІВ І СПЕЦПОСЕЛЕНЬ (ДРУГА ПОЛОВИНА 1950-Х – 1970-ТІ РР.)

After the return of the underground insurgent movement members from camps and special settlements to the western regions of the Ukrainian SSR, some of them began to resume illegal propaganda activities. This is hardly covered in Ukrainian historiography. Based on numerous factual material, obtained from the 2nd and 16th funds of the Sectoral State Archive of the Security Service of Ukraine and for the first time introduced into scientific circulation, the authors found out its forms and features: distribution among the population of the program documents of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, production and distribution of leaflets, inscriptions, drawings of anti-Soviet content, hanging yellow-blue flags, holding conversations on forbidden topics in the working and youth environments. The article shows the influence of propaganda activities of OUN members on the emergence and development of the dissident movement. The material presented in the article also shows that a part of the Ukrainian intelligentsia with nationalist beliefs, which, fearing repressions, for a long time stood aside from the anti-Soviet struggle, began to speak out more courageously, trying to rehabilitate themselves in front of their comrades from the underground. In particular, its representatives in their conversations, speeches, publications criticized the national policy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the course of Russification of Ukraine, the attack on the Ukrainian language, the thesis of the "great Russian people", etc. The position taken by them was, according to KGB officers, identical to the position of former members of the OUN underground. It is proved that the state security agencies of the Ukrainian SSR made great efforts, using a variety of techniques and methods, to neutralize the anti-Soviet underground and to discredit it in the eyes of the public.

Formation of a gender fair environment in educational institutions of Ukraine: European integration context

The article is devoted to the topical problem of creating a gender fair environment in the national educational context of the human-centered paradigm, humanitarian security of Ukraine, and European integration processes. A theoretical and methodological analysis of the given problem is carried out adopting foreign and domestic approaches. Through the gender discourse, a conceptual model based on the principles of "partnership pedagogy" and the humanistic "matrix" of the philosophical and pedagogical heritage, the integration of competence-based, person-oriented and gender-based approaches in the context of the policy of academic integrity of higher education institutions is presented, and its effectiveness is experimentally proven.
 The content and structure and the leading factors and mechanisms of creating an educational environment for children and youth based on the principles of gender equality in the conditions of the New Ukrainian School are revealed. The author's definition of the concept of "gender fair environment" as non-discriminatory, creative and developmental/creative, safe, health-preserving, inclusive, based on the principles of social justice, gender equality, child-centeredness, egalitarianism and gender parity is presented.
 The basic concepts of research are clarified, as well as the content, functions and features of a gender fair environment (GFE); its main components are singled out and characterized; on the basis of the defined criteria and indicators, the state of readiness of socionomic professions future specialists to the organization of the GFE is diagnosed. The principles of non-discriminatory education are substantiated, the psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of an egalitarian personality of a specialist are identified and empirically proven. Gender competence is considered in relation to intercultural competence as the main professional quality of a modern teacher.
 From the point of view of gender methodology, the principles, content and methods of psychological and pedagogical support of gender socialization of the individual are determined, and pedagogical monitoring is carried out to identify gender stereotypes and prejudices among students of higher education.
 The scientific and methodological support for the training of future teachers has been improved, the modernization of gender-educational technologies by means of IT in educational institutions of various levels has been carried out, and their effectiveness has been proven. The experience of the activity of the Scientific Research Center on Gender Education and Education of Pupil and Student Youth of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine – Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University regarding the implementation of innovative gender-educational technologies in the educational and professional training of future specialists in socio-economic professions on the way to the EU and ensuring the national mechanism for building a parity democracy in Ukraine has been analyzed.

Modern realities of corporate culture formation in the youth environment: interaction of law and ideology

Corporate culture as it exists today is a cast of the Western European matrix, in which patriotic ideology is replaced by the values of the corporation and personal result. But modern realities form a new demand of society, moral principles and traditions develop modern legal relations. The human right to patriotic behavior is largely shaped by the system of religious and moral values that influenced Russian legislation long before the emergence of modern Russia.The purpose of the article (in the form of confirmation or refutation of a scientific hypothesis) is to analyze the value system of youth, legal realities and ideological features of the formation of the Russian state around the factors of Russian identity: family, society, country, state, person, to describe the possibility of their inclusion in the corporate culture (employer) as the basic principles of corporate governance.The method of group interview, the method of content analysis was chosen as the research method. The method of group interview or classroom analysis allows each of the participants of the discussion to speak freely on a particular problem, and during the discussion in the polemic to form a unified representation of the group on the problem.The respondents were students of universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg, aged 18 to 23 years, technical and humanitarian areas of training - a total of 150 people (110 humanities and 40 technical areas of training). During the survey, they were divided into groups of 7 to 10 people and the groups were asked to form an opinion on how they understand value, the group discussed the idea of value and recorded the definition and their understanding of this value. As part of the study, young people aged 18 to 23 years were consistently considered about their values, how these values form the factors of pentabasis, contribute to the formation of relationships with companies. Then, which factors of pentabasis most influence the formation of the value field of youth and which indicators can be identified as markers of the formed value. Further, in order to determine how the company forms the pentabasis factors, taking into account values and indicators, young people write down which indicators and values are characteristic of the cross-influence of pentabasis factors on each other. Thus, after we have considered the principles of the formation of legal awareness, it becomes transparently clear that when developing the principles of corporate culture, it is necessary to transfer to the factors of Russian identity. Patriotism in corporate communications, until they form a clear system of values for Russians, will be a superstructure that will not be fully realized in any corporation, since it is built on different values, which became clear to us when studying the history of legal awareness. Consequently, after the conducted research, we have described some conclusions on the principles of the formation of the ideology of corporate culture, which are based on the factors of Russian identity.

Applying Trauma-Informed Design Principles to Therapeutic Residential Care Facilities to Reduce Retraumatization and Promote Resiliency Among Youth in Care.

Purpose: This conceptual paper connects the literature on the experiences and needs of youth in therapeutic residential care, trauma-informed frameworks utilized in these settings, and early research on trauma-informed design to facilitate an understanding of these connections and move towards developing a blueprint for trauma-informed design in residential settings for traumatized youth. Methods: A critical literature review drawing on trauma theory, trauma-informed care, evidence-based design, and trauma-informed design was conducted to inform the argument presented in this conceptual paper. Results: While many therapeutic residential care models engage trauma-informed care approaches to support staff in promoting healing environments for youth who have histories of complex trauma, the focus has remained on the psychosocial environment of care, and has yet to be systematically applied to the design of the built environment in which these programs are implemented. By applying the principles of trauma-informed care to the built environment, trauma-informed design has the potential to reduce retraumatization and promote resiliency among youth in care. Conclusions: Ultimately, this conceptual paper illustrates the value of further developing trauma-informed design principles to apply to settings that serve traumatized youth, such as therapeutic residential care facilities.

Subjective prerequisites for the manifestation of procrastination in students technical university

Introduction. Modern living conditions require a person to be mobile, have a high level of self-organization, the ability to act quickly in conditions of uncertainty, and be able to competently organize their work. Penetrating into all processes of human life, information technologies cause an increasing severity of the phenomenon of procrastination in the youth environment. The purpose of the study is to study the relationship of procrastination with personal characteristics and methods of self-organization of the activities of students of a technical university. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (N = 114), using diagnostic tools: the questionnaire «Degree of procrastination severity» by M. A. Kiseleva, N. E. Shustova, O.V. Karina, questionnaire «Self-organization of activity» (OSD) E. Yu. Mandrikova, questionnaire «Big Five», BFI-2 R. McCrae, P. Costa. The study used the methods of mathematical statistics: Kolmogorov-Smirnov criterion, correlation analysis, factorial analysis, Student's t-test. Results. It was revealed that students of a technical university have all indicators of procrastination and selforganization of activity at an average level. Significantly significant differences between boys and girls were found. In the group of girls, the level of procrastination is higher than in the group of men (tcrit=3,6; p=0,01), the level of anxiety is also higher (tcrit=4,2; p=0,01), negative emotionality prevails (tcrit= 5,0; p=0.001), aesthetic sense is more developed (tcrit=3,8; p=0,01). Young men demonstrate higher purposefulness (tcrit=-2,3; p=0,05) and perseverance in achieving goals (tcrit=-2,1; p=0,05). There is a relationship between procrastination, selfregulation of activity and personal characteristics. To a greater extent, the student's procrastination is caused by motivational insufficiency, anxiety and conscientiousness. Conclusion. As a result of the study, it was proved that the procrastination of young people is determined by personal characteristics and underdevelopment of skills for self-regulation of activities. In view of the fact that many students are aware of the problem of their procrastination, there is a need for targeted work on the correction and prevention of procrastination.

Sociological analysis of political attitudes of student youth

The article analyzes the main structural components of political attitudes and activity of young people in the national and worldwide changes. The development of modern attitudes and values and the decline in the significance of former values in the context of increased social mobility contributed to a significant transformation of life, including socio-political attitudes of youth. The aim of the article is to examine factors of youth political involvement and activity, their political attitudes and values, main sources about political events in youth environment. The article presents the results of a sociological study conducted by the author in 2021. To gather empirical date questioning method was used. The sample size is 439 participants. Ac-cording to the results political positions of young people are in the process of formation and transformation, that is, the boundaries of political attitudes are not clear. No statistically significant differences were found in the structure of political values and attitudes of young people in terms of socio-demographic criteria or eco-nomic status. The development of the political or ideological positions of young people is influenced by the socio-economic well-being of the country and the cultural stereotypes of society. The data and results of the sociological research presented in the article can be applied in solving urgent problems of youth, in organiz-ing various political events and campaigns, in regulating the political movements of youth. Key words: political attitudes, student youth, youth policy, political activity, sources of political information, political culture, political involvement.

Determination of pedagogic conditions for the formation of a responsible attitude to weapons in student youth

The article discusses the pedagogic conditions for the formation of an effective model of a responsible attitude to weapons among student youngsters. This process is characterised by duration, inconsistency, multifactoriality, is of particular importance in the modern world and Russian society, based on real prerequisites in Russian history, theory and foreign practice. The paper highlights the assessment of approaches to the formation of a meaningful component for the implementation of basic conditions. When creating a multi-layer specific subject-spatial environment, a characteristic of the model construction is given and special factors that determine its multi-layer nature are highlighted. When organising a rich moral and legal practice, the variability of methods, forms, approaches of work is considered, taking into account the needs of young people, the potential of institutions and integrity in the application of practice-oriented activities. Establishing continuous monitoring of changes in the volitional, emotional-value, effective-practical spheres of personality development stems from the need to organise systematic, effective activities, assess the potential of a changing situation in the youth environment. The identification of these conditions based on the results of monitoring work has shown its effectiveness and the possibility of application to other age groups. The formation of a responsible attitude to weapons acts as a creative model, assisting in the development of most personal qualities, such as independence, communication, success, stress resistance and others.

SOCIO-COMMUNICATIVE ASPECTS OF TRUST CONCEPTS AMONG BACHELOR STUDENTS OF MOSCOW UNIVERSITIES

Interest in the analysis of trust in social communications is due to the fact that modern society is subject to a number of global challenges in economics and politics. Young people, as the most susceptible and labile group of the population, may experience the negative impact of these challenges, coupled with a crisis of values and social guidelines. The purpose of the research is to analyze the perceptions of trust among bachelor students from Moscow universities in the context of social communications. Empirical data are presented by the results of a survey of full-time students living in Moscow and the Moscow Region (n = 441, 2021). The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is formed by the theories of trust of Russian and foreign researchers (F. Fukuyama, Yu. Lo, P.M. Doni, V.Yu. Stolyar, P.M. Kozyreva, S.V. Ryzhova, et al.). The scientific novelty of the study is the identified patterns of the phenomenon of trust in the youth environment. The results of the study show the ambiguity of the interpretation of trust by students. In building trusting relationships, honesty, openness and sincerity are most significant for students. Most consider it impossible to have relationships without trust with relatives and friends. In intercultural communications, it is easier for students to trust post-Soviet citizens. For barriers of trust, the most significant was the socio-cultural barrier (difference in mentality, norms, values, the presence of stereotypes, etc.), as well as the language barrier. The conclusions and recommendations presented in the article can be used in further research on student trust, as well as for making managerial decisions to strengthen the value of trust in education.

ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНАЯ МОБИЛЬНОСТЬ РОССИЙСКОЙ МОЛОДЕЖИ: КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ РИСКИ

Objective of the study is: to reveal the risks of professional mobility of Russian youth in the conditions of modern reality of Russian regions. The methodological basis of the research is based on the data of sociological studies conducted in the Republic of Crimea and the Rostov region among students and working youth. 1) survey of students aged 17-24 years (N = 337 − in the Rostov region; N = 652 − in the Republic of Crimea). Bachelors, masters and postgraduates of full-time education took part in the survey; 2) survey of working youth aged 18 to 35 years (N = 536 − in the Rostov region; N = 548 – in the Republic of Crimea). The sample of the study is a multi-stage zoned with quota selection of observation units (respondents) at the last stage, broken down by type of settlement, age, gender, professional status. Research results. The social consequences of the identified risks are associated with downward professional mobility, which manifests itself in the high dynamics of employed young workers with higher education in fields of activity that are far from the specialty received at the university and do not assume the received level of professional education. At the same time, professional insolvency is not regarded by young people as an indicator of downward social mobility, since the dominant indicators of life success in the youth environment do not contain a professional component as the most important. Prospects of the study are connected with further research of professional and labor needs and motivations of young people in relation to the process of professional self-determination and professionalization at the stage of study at the university.

Трудовая мобильность молодежи: потенциал и факторы его активизации в современных российских условиях

The article substantiates the author’s interpretation of labor mobility potential and the factors of its activation in line with the subjective mobility concept. Its empirical verification is carried out on the basis of the analysis of the mass survey data and in-depth interviews conducted by the author among the young people employed in the economy of Kursk region, and their comparison with the results of all-Russian and regional studies. The research reveals a relatively high potential for labor mobility of working youth, expressed in the readiness to change jobs in the near future. About half of the young people employed in the economy can be attributed to the social base of potential labor mobility, within which there are two significant groups: some of them have a clearly defined attitude to change jobs in the near future, the second one allows such changes in their employment status. It determines the key role of two groups of factors in activating the potential of youth labor mobility. The first of them includes the intentions of young people to realize themselves and their professional potential in labor activity and career in a new job; the second one is represented by the main reasons for dissatisfaction with the working conditions at the current job – the level of wages and the amount of workload. The research establishes the prevalence in the youth environment of employment not according to the profile of the received profession (specialty), and young people’s lack of assessment of the discrepancy between work and profession as a causal factor for changing jobs and as an obstacle to their career.

Hopes for healing: An exploratory study of trauma-informed care training and the juvenile justice system

The topic of traumatic stress among justice-involved youth has gained national attention. Studies have shown a multitude of factors contributing to youth experiencing trauma or victimization. Reports indicate that about 34% of children in the United States experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. Studies have shown that between 75% and 93% of youth in the juvenile justice system have suffered traumatic victimization of one form or another. In 2013, Texas passed legislation mandating all juvenile probation and juvenile supervision personnel to complete trauma-informed care training. A web-based Qualtrics survey, consisting of 28 items, was sent to Texas juvenile probation departments (JPD) with the goal to survey juvenile probation officers and other personnel, resulting in 108 responses. The study addressed (1) the type of trauma-care training received; (2) the implementation of trauma-focused practices and policies; and (3) the promotion of a physically and psychologically safe environment for justice-involved youth. The findings indicate that most of the respondents completed trauma-informed care training and met the state requirement. Although the training provided knowledge and understanding of youth trauma, not all juvenile probation officers referred youth to trauma-specific services, indicating a need for specific trauma-informed policies and practices with regular monitoring to ensure that youth received these rehabilitative services.

Be prepared and do the best you can: a focus group study with staff on the care environment at Swedish secure youth homes

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the care environment of secure youth homes run by the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care, where youths up to 21 years old are placed according to law due to extensive care needs or sentences. Purpose This study examined staff members’ experiences of the institutional care environment within secure youth homes. Methods Data were collected through three focus group discussions with 17 staff members at two secure youth homes. Subsequently, a thematic analysis was conducted. Results The analysis indicated two main themes: risk management and damage control in a restricted environment and compensating and reconstructing ordinariness—trying to make the best of it; each theme had three subthemes. The care environment seems to be experienced by staff as characterized by conflicting demands, thus constituting a gap between needs and what is possible to achieve—a balancing act that constitutes a constant struggle. Conclusions The staff members’ constant struggle could be interpreted as conflicting moral and instrumental demands; they know what the youths need, but the environment of the secure youth homes demands the decorous behaviour of sociomaterial control practices—rather than care practices.

An Agent-Based Social Impact Theory Model to Study the Impact of In-Person School Closures on Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use among Youth

Substance use behavior among youth is a complex peer-group phenomenon shaped by many factors. Peer influence, easily accessible prescription opioids, and a youth’s socio-cultural environment play recognized roles in the initiation and persistence of youth nonmedical prescription opioid use. By altering the physical surroundings and social environment of youth, in-person school closures may change risk factors for youth drug use. Acknowledging past research on the importance of the presence of peers in youth substance use risk behavior, this paper reports the findings from the use of an agent-based simulation grounded in social impact theory to investigate possible impacts of in-person school closures due to COVID-19 on the prevalence of nonmedical prescription opioid use among youth. The presented model integrates data from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey and characterizes the accessibility of within-home prescription opioids. Under the status quo, the lifting of in-person school closures reliably entails an increase in the prevalence of youth with nonmedical prescription opioid use, but this effect is ameliorated if the prescription opioids are securely stored during the in-person school closures period.

Fostering Youth-Enabling Environments: A Participatory Affordance-Capability Framework for the Development and Use of Youth-Engaged Environmental Assessments

This paper proposes a new conceptual approach to the development and utilization of youth-led environmental assessments to inform the planning of youth-enabling environments. Interdisciplinary research has established the influential effects of the physical environment on children and adolescents’ well-being and development, yet there is a gap in our understanding of how to create everyday environments for youth that speak to their needs and interests and provide opportunities for them to flourish. Engaging youth through participatory action research to both develop and conduct environmental assessments can have positive implications for youth empowerment and well-being while also altering research and planning practices to effectively integrate youth voice. The proposed approach integrates elements from affordance theory, the Capability Approach, and positive youth development within a youth participatory action research framework to create a process that encourages capability formation, fosters positive development, and improves our understanding of what constitutes a youth-enabling environment.

International performance level in adult ice hockey: The role of the talent environment in youth

ABSTRACT Despite a growing interest in conducive talent development environments (TDE), the relationship between TDEs and the performance level in adulthood remains unclear. Therefore, this study examined the relationship of the micro-environment of former Swiss junior national team ice hockey players with their performance level in adulthood. With quantitative, retrospective data from n = 106 players born between 1984 and 1994, patterns of four factors club, family, peer, and school were built for early (13–15 years old) and late (16–19 years old) youth. The results revealed four structurally and mainly individually stable clusters for both developmental stages in youth. The cluster of the moderately above-average supported players between 16–19 years old demonstrated above-average values in all factors of the micro-environment and are more likely to reach international playing level in adulthood, whereas the structurally weak supported players are linked to a later regional playing level. These results indicate that simultaneous support across all four factors of the micro-environment in youth (club, family, peers, and school) is important to reach an international playing level, while low support in one or more area reduces the chance thereof. Thus, creating supportive environments across the board should be considered for a successful talent development.

Genetic Risk, Neighborhood Characteristics, and Behavioral Difficulties Among African American Adolescents Living in Very Low-Income Neighborhoods.

Behavioral difficulties among African American youth are disproportionately detrimental to their future well-being compared to when demonstrated by White American youth. The majority of gene-environment studies of behavior have been conducted with European ancestry samples, limiting our knowledge of these processes among African Americans. This study examined the influence of positive and negative neighborhood conditions, in the context of genetic risk, on behavioral difficulties among low-income African American adolescents. Data were from the Genes, Environment, and Neighborhood Initiative study of African American youth in high-poverty neighborhoods, n = 524, M age = 15.89, SD = 1.42. DNA samples were collected using the Oragene Discovery 500 series, and polygenic risk scores for behavioral difficulties computed. Neighborhood informal social control, social cohesion, physical disorder, and social disorder were assessed. Adolescent alcohol use, hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems were examined as outcomes. After controlling for polygenic risk, lower levels of neighborhood social disorder and higher levels of social cohesion were associated with fewer youth-reported hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems. Less social disorder also was associated with fewer parent-reported behavioral difficulties. Neighborhood characteristics did not moderate associations between genetic risk and the outcomes. Higher levels of positive and lower levels of negative neighborhood characteristics can be associated with lower levels of behavioral difficulties among African American youth living in poverty, even after taking into account genetic risk.