Large Youth Population Research Articles

Young People’s voices on social justice: a participatory storytelling and action learning approach

ABSTRACT South Africa is home to a large youth population, defined in South Africa as aged between 18 and 34 years. In working to transform our unequal society, we need to take diverse youth voices, including young people at university, into account regarding what matters to them. To enable their voices, the paper recounts a participatory storytelling research project with students in the educational space of one South African university. Using individual and collective digital storytelling, participants produced an archive of everyday stories, which then comprised a data base for them to analyse social in/justice issues and themes and co-create knowledge from the ground-up, with their emergent ideas categorised in a social injustice map. Through the iterative action learning and reflective process, participants developed their critical awareness of injustices and enhanced their sense of their own epistemic agency to contribute to change. Both the project process and the formation of intersecting capabilities for the co-creation of substantive reparative knowledge about social injustices and fairness were advanced through the project. Finally, it is suggested that these two capabilities might be applied to young people globally as crucial for contributions to epistemic agency and for making more just future societies.

Demographic Dividend and Life Skills in India

Abstract: The current population of India is 1,430,662,911 in the month of August, 2023 based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. India population is equivalent to 17.76% of the total world population. In India, almost 41% of the population was below the age of 20 years. They can utilize their potential to contribute to the economy’s growth by having a better primary, secondary and higher education system. Skill knowledge is very important to utilize their potential effects and it also increases productivity, which further helps in economy’s growth. Youth has a potential and power to change the world for the better. Harnessing the potential of youth for burgeoning economic opportunities is the role of key stakeholders. India has the largest youth population in the world; it becomes a dire need to focus on their development in this 76th year of India’s independence. The cut-throat competition, unemployment, lack of job security, etc. are some of the major concerns for the educated and as a result, they are caught in the mad race. Skill development is a crucial sector relevant to economic growth and reaping India’s demographic dividend. This new challenge requires immediate and effective responses from a socially responsible system of education. Education is important, but education to support and live life better is important, but life skills education bridges the gap between basic functioning and capabilities. Imparting life skill training through inculcating life skill education will help youth to overcome such difficulties in life. Keyword – Demographic dividend, Life skills

Child and adolescent mental health services in Khartoum State, Sudan: a desktop situational analysis.

Sudan is a Northeast African country, with 61.7% of its population under 24 years. With a large youth population and significant cultural and linguistic diversity, Sudan, like most low-income countries, has contributed minimal data to global child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) research. This study aimed to perform the first ever situational analysis of CAMH services and systems in Khartoum State, Sudan. The study focused on Khartoum state and covered the calendar years 2019 and 2020. Using the World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS) version 2.2 adapted for CAMH, the study focused on the publically available data sources. Findings were described and presented in tables and figures using the WHO-AIMS template. The situational analysis found no CAMH-specific policies, no separate budget for CAMH, and no supervising body for CAMH services in Khartoum. Three tertiary mental health hospitals provided CAMH services, all combined with adult mental health services. Essential medicines were available in all facilities, except methylphenidate available only in 3 central pharmacies. There was no free access to essential psychotropic drugs for children and adolescents except in emergency settings. Data about training to primary healthcare providers and the process of referral to specialized services were limited. A school mental health programme existed which provided early identification and management of CAMH problems in schools. The workforce was small and variable across all levels of care. No formal public health awareness campaigns and little evidence of formal intersectoral collaboration on CAMH were identified. A health information system existed, but no CAMH-specific items were reported. Among a handful of publications on CAMH, no national studies on CAMH were identified. This situational analysis represented the first systematic collation of data and information about CAMH in Sudan. Findings highlighted some areas of strength, but also many gaps in CAMH services and systems. We acknowledge the need to complement the desktop analysis with in-depth data collection with stakeholders across multiple levels, but hope that this will serve as a first step towards strengthening CAMH services in Sudan and other low-income countries.

Breaking the silence: unveiling the intersection of climate change and youth mental health in Indonesia

In Southeast Asia, home to 362.2 million adolescents, the issue of adolescent mental health is aggravated by climate change. Indonesia, with its large youth population, faces a concerning prevalence of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. The intersection of climate change and youth mental health is manifested in the complex interaction of environmental hazards, societal changes, and psychological impact on adolescents and young people. Climate-related hazards exacerbate the existing and give rise to new mental health issues in youths, notably anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, and the emerging concepts such as eco-anxiety. Eco-anxiety, a novel concept, amplifies these concerns as youths grapple with climate change-related fears despite not yet being recognized as a formal mental disorder. To address this concern, immediate action should be taken, such as advocating for increased mental health support, youth involvement in climate initiatives, youth advisory committees, increased funding for mental health interventions, and the formulation of a youth-centered mental health policy. This call to action is crucial not only for Indonesia but also provides a framework for addressing similar global challenges, empowering adolescents to confront climate-induced mental health issues while nurturing their resilience.

Catalyzing India's Progress: Integrating Youth Empowerment, Skill-Based Education, and Economic Development Initiatives

India, home to the world's largest youth population, recognizes its youth demographic as a pivotal 'window of opportunity' for national growth and development. The challenge lies in proactively addressing the multifaceted needs of this demographic to harness its potential effectively. This paper explores the intersection of youth, skill-based education, and national development, emphasizing the critical role of skill-based education in equipping the youth for a dynamic job market and fostering comprehensive socio-economic development. The National Education Policy 2020 serves as a transformative milestone, envisioning a holistic education system aligned with 21st-century goals. Key features include universal access to schooling, vocational integration, and targeted literacy goals, reflecting a commitment to nurturing a skilled and enlightened youth. The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector emerges as a crucial player in inclusive industrial development, providing substantial employment opportunities and contributing significantly to the nation's economic fabric. The state of Odisha aligns with the national vision, undertaking initiatives contributing to the overarching goal of youth development and community engagement..The impact of these endeavors not only contributes to economic growth but also lays the groundwork for a socially conscious and globally competitive nation.

Surabaya Youth Political Discourse in in the Dynamics of Election Information

Youth have become the main agents of change and are usually the most affected by changes in the socio-political context in Indonesia. The very large youth population in Indonesia signifies a great asset for socio-political transformation in the democratic space. Specifically, this study examines youth political discourse in the changes and dynamics of the 2024 General Election. This study aims to identify linguistic expressions of public practice within the scope of youth political culture in Surabaya. Exploration of the relationship between different sets of influences and different types of political activism seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the reasons why young people choose certain paths of political participation regarding the 2024 election. Focus group discussion methods and in-depth interviews are considered most appropriate on the basis of the advantage is in gaining in-depth insights into the respondents' experiences regarding their understanding and conception of the 2024 election. Then a discourse analysis is carried out by comparing the knowledge from general cultural knowledge shared by participants from various social groups and knowledge shared by participants from separate social groups.

E-commerce in India and its Business Models

There are many opportunities for e-commerce to develop in India thanks to the country’s large youth population, rising standard of living, changing lifestyle, rapid expansion in information and communication technology, availability of broadband, 4G technologies, etc. Customers can electronically exchange goods and services with no time or distance restrictions thanks to ecommerce. Over the past five years, electronic commerce has grown rapidly, and experts expect that it will continue to grow at this rate or perhaps faster. However, there is a lack of an e-commerce legal framework, inconsistent economic climate, inadequate transportation and telecommunications infrastructure, and varying social and educational attitudes towards e-commerce, etc. The distinction between “traditional” and “electronic” commerce will become increasingly hazy in the near future as more companies migrate portions of their activities online. Due to the internet’s extreme saturation and the difficulty of using technological gadgets, the ecommerce industry in India is expanding at an exceptional rate. However, India’s recent e-commerce growth rate has lagged much below that of other wealthy nations. E-commerce rewards include ease, time savings, options, and flexibility, simple to compare, simple to find reviews, coupons and discounts, a growing consumer base, increased sales, open 24/7/365, and company development

Challenges in esports: interview study of professional gamers in India

The growth of esports into a worldwide phenomenon is astounding. With more and more young people trying to make a living as gamers, there has never been a better time to dive into the subject. Despite having the world’s largest youth population and the fifth largest ­economy (both promising grounds for esports), India’s esports industry is still underdeveloped. Forty-one Indian professional gamers were interviewed to determine what factors are holding back the growth of esports in the country. Our research illuminates the complex realities of professional gamers in India and the obstacles they confront on their path to the top. Findings from a thematic analysis of the data show that the difficulties of pursuing a career in esports in India are rooted in techno-economic, sociocultural-political, and psychological challenges. The best way for India to establish itself in the esports industry would be to learn from other nations’ successes and implement a localized approach uniquely suited to India’s demographic and cultural makeup.

Explaining youth political mobilization and its absence: the case of Bobi Wine and Uganda’s 2021 election

ABSTRACT What explains youth political mobilization in Uganda – or lack thereof? This article challenges the simple dichotomy of youth as either a dangerous or disengaged political constituency. Instead, we analyze the conditions that determine whether youth can coalesce as a politically salient category. For many, the outcome of the 2021 Ugandan elections defied expectations. A large and underemployed youth population combined with the emergence of self-proclaimed ‘youth candidate’ Bobi Wine, led both international and domestic analysts to predict a strong youth challenge to National Resistance Movement (NRM) dominance. However, while Bobi Wine captured the opposition vote, he was unable to create a new youth constituency that could overcome existing political and regional cleavages. This article draws on interviews and fieldwork on youth political mobilization during the 2021 elections to identify and analyze a range of historically rooted methods that the NRM effectively deploys to mobilize and fragment youth. The findings confirm the need to look beyond rallies and rhetoric to analyze whether the conditions are right to allow youth to emerge as a politically salient category.

Reducing Youth Unemployment in Indonesia: Identifying Financial Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

With a large youth population, Indonesia faces both the challenge and the opportunity to increase its capacity and maximize its contribution to the country's economic growth. Empowering youth with skills and knowledge matching industry demand will benefit the private sector and society. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is an avenue to connect school and workplace environments directly and accelerate its graduates becoming employed and productive in the very early stage of their careers. However, existing TVET institutions, especially in upper secondary education, still need to be improved due to their low employment rate compared to other graduates from different educational streams. Based on quantitative analysis using entropy balancing and instrumental variable method, the impact of vocational secondary school on employment and wage levels is more prominent in the younger graduates and diminished in the older age group. This situation raises concerns about how to strengthen existing TVET institutions so they can provide updated skills and knowledge and maintain TVET graduates' competitive advantage throughout their careers.

Factors influencing adolescent experimental and current smoking behaviors based on social cognitive theory: A cross-sectional study in Xiamen.

China has the largest youth population in the world. To better implement the Smoke-free School Initiative, this study aims to examine the protective and risk factors for different smoking behaviors (never smoked, experimental smoking, and current smoking) among school adolescents based on social cognitive theory. This research was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of middle schools in Huli District of Xiamen, China. The final sample consisted of 1937 participants with an average age of 15.41 (SD = 1.64). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sociodemographic characteristics of the sample. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed using four models. Of the respondents, 1685 (86.99%) were never smokers, 210 (10.84%) were experimental smokers, and 42 (2.17%) were current smokers. Social norms, positive outcome expectations, anti-smoking self-efficacy, and attitudes toward control tobacco policies were associated with adolescents' smoking behaviors. The number of smoking family members, classmates smoking, the perception that smoking is cool and attractive, and attitudes toward control tobacco policies were the predictors of current smoking behavior (p < 0.05). In contrast, friends smoking and individual and social relationship motivation were associated with only experimental smoking (p < 0.05). The relationship of social norms, positive outcome expectations, anti-smoking self-efficacy, and attitudes toward control tobacco policies varied across smoking behaviors. Family, school, society and the government need to cooperate in prevention and intervention programs for adolescent smoking. The relationships between these factors and adolescents' different smoking behaviors needs to be further verified.

Immune System and Epidemics: The Role of African Indigenous Bioactive Substances.

With over 6 million coronavirus pandemic deaths, the African continent reported the lowest death rate despite having a high disease burden. The African community's resilience to the pandemic has been attributed to climate and weather conditions, herd immunity, repeated exposure to infectious organisms that help stimulate the immune system, and a disproportionately large youth population. In addition, functional foods, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements contain micronutrients and bioactive compounds that can help boost the immune system. This review identified significant traditional fermented foods and herbal remedies available within the African continent with the potential to boost the immune system in epidemics and pandemics. Methodology: Databases, such as PubMed, the Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched using relevant search terms to identify traditional African fermented foods and medicinal plants with immune-boosting or antiviral capabilities. Cereal-based fermented foods, meat-, and fish-based fermented foods, and dairy-based fermented foods containing antioxidants, immunomodulatory effects, probiotics, vitamins, and peptides were identified and discussed. In addition, nine herbal remedies and spices belonging to eight plant families have antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antiviral properties. Peptides, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, ascorbic acid, minerals, vitamins, and saponins are some of the bioactive compounds in the remedies. Bioactive compounds in food and plants significantly support the immune system and help increase resistance against infectious diseases. The variety of food and medicinal plants found on the African continent could play an essential role in providing community resilience against infectious diseases during epidemics and pandemics. The African continent should investigate nutritional, herbal, and environmental factors that support healthy living and longevity.

Making the case for the governance of (digital public) health futures

Abstract Digital and data tools are fundamentally changing approaches to health and the design of health systems, but governance models have neither followed nor kept up with the pace of innovation. In response to this challenge, The Lancet &amp; Financial Times Commission on Governing health futures 2030: Growing up in a digital world explores the convergence of digital health, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies with universal health coverage to support attaining the SDG 3. Children and young people are crucial groups requiring particular attention to ensure that no one is left behind in achieving universal health coverage and SDG 3 amidst the digital transformation in health. Today, there are 1.8 billion people between the ages of 10 and 24 - the largest youth population in history - 90 percent of whom live in developing countries. This cohort represents an unprecedented powerhouse of human potential and digital engagement that could transform health to reach sustainable development goals. This presentation introduces several key findings from the Commission's report which pertain to the governance of (digital public) health futures amidst digital transformations in health. It will highlight how human-centred approaches to health are vital to navigating the digital transformations and maximising their benefits for population health and well-being. Further, it will provide an action plan for meaningful youth engagement in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of digital public health policies, programmes, and services.

Adolescent mental health disparities in rural Guizhou vs. urban Beijing: A comparative analysis from China

BackgroundMental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in youth globally. China has the world's second largest youth population with growing urban-rural inequalities. Guizhou is China's poorest province, and its rural youth mental health is seldom studied. Aims(1) to examine the prevalence and gender differences in drug use, depressive symptoms, social support, and externalizing behaviors in adolescents from an underserved rural Guizhou community; (2) to compare these measures between our sample and an urban Beijing sample. Subject and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among children 12–14 years-old from rural Guizhou using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. Prevalence of 19 mental health risk factors and behaviors were examined and compared to those from a public urban Beijing sample. Associations of mental health variables with gender and rural residence were examined using multivariable logistic regression models in a combined analysis. ResultsMental health risk factors and behaviors were more prevalent in our rural sample for 9/19 surveyed items. Rural adolescent in our sample had higher risks in experiencing troubles due to drinking, loneliness, insomnia, hopelessness, poor social support and poor parental understanding, injuries, and absenteeism. Girls compared to boys had lower risks of excessive drinking, smoking, fighting, injures and being bullied. ConclusionRural adolescents from an underserved Guizhou community were significantly more vulnerable to mental health risk factors and behaviors compared to urban Beijing peers and gender mattered. Research on context- and gender-informed interventions is needed.

116. Conducting an Online Survey of Youth Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Employing Youth Participatory Action Research: Lessons Learned

Over 4 million unaccompanied minors and youth experience homelessness yearly in the US, yet their voice is largely silent in national surveys. Thus their needs are little accounted for in policy and planning. Research studies of youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) rely primarily on convenience samples in a single geographical area, generally large cities. Youth-engaged methods are needed to ensure the inclusion of a large and diverse population of youth from a broad geographic area. In order to assess the needs of youth in San Francisco and Alameda Counties, we conducted a pilot online survey, the COVID-19 Youth Impact Survey, employing Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR).

A Study about Unemployment in India – 2004 - 2018

Unemployment is one of the growing economic concerns for a developing country like India, which has the world’s largest youth population. Young Indians face a lot of barriers due to poverty and lack of technical skills required to get into the right job. Though there are a lot of reforms in the education sector, gaining a stable position in the labor market is difficult. Most men in rural areas are now shifting to casual jobs rather than farming activities and women tend to be self-employed. This paper explores the trend in the unemployment rate from 2004 -2018. It provides an overall analysis of the unemployment rate among males and females, rural and urban areas, states and the union territories as well as the relationship between GSDP and unemployment. The paper provides a comparative analysis on the unemployment rate during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Academic entitlement amid social change in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PurposeThe present field research aimed to assess whether gender differences exist in academic entitlement among college students of a society in rapid transition from a patriarchal system to one fostering gender equity. It then aimed to determine whether particular dimensions of academic entitlement or a simplified one-factor measure can be used as an early indicator of course-related academic difficulties.Design/methodology/approachCollege students completed a questionnaire about academic entitlement. Records of test and assessment performance, as well as attendance, were collected for the first half of an academic semester. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, instruction was delivered online synchronously.FindingsA few gender differences were found that departed from the largely consistent finding in the extant literature of greater academic entitlement in males. For female students, selected dimensions of academic entitlement, but not class attendance, weakly predicted poor performance. For male students, dimensions of academic entitlement were ineffective predictors of both performance and attendance, thereby suggesting that demographic characteristics may define the sensitivity of academic entitlement measures to early, course-related academic difficulties.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study has limitations to be addressed in future research. For instance, the insensitivity of male students' academic entitlement to early performance measures needs to be investigated further. It may be the byproduct of the weakening of the view of male superiority typical of patriarchal societies, which arises from top-down interventions intended to promote gender equity. Yet, it may also underline males' reluctance to express a view that is counter to institutional messages of gender equity as well as religious and cultural values of modesty (Al-Absi, 2018), and personal responsibility (Asrorovna, 2020; Smither and Khorsandi, 2009). Another limitation is the extent to which specific items or dimensions of academic entitlement map into specific cultural dimensions, such as individualism and collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity and femininity (Hofstede, 2011).Practical implicationsAcademic entitlement is of concern to educators at universities and colleges across the world for several reasons. High levels of stress (Barton and Hirsch, 2016) and frustration (Anderson et al., 2013) usually accompany academic entitlement along with students' self-reports of lower exerted effort (Kopp et al., 2011). In self-reports, academic entitlement is found to be correlated with an external locus of control, lower academic motivation and lower ratings of class attendance (Fromuth et al., 2019). Boswell (2012) has also reported it as linked to lower students' confidence in their ability to complete with success the courses in which they are enrolled (i.e. course self-efficacy). Thus, the availability of early measures of academic risk in core courses, which prepare students for advanced courses in their major, can be particularly valuable to educators and administrators.Social implicationsThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) represents a society in rapid transition (Nowak and Vallacher, 2019) from a gender-segregated system to one in which gender equity in educational as well as occupational opportunities and choices is promoted and sustained through top-down institutional changes (e.g. decrees, declarations, investments, etc.; Mansyuroh, 2019). The study’s findings suggest that college students, the main targets of institutional efforts promoting gender equity, may be responsive to such efforts.Originality/valueThe present study is a snapshot of a moment at which the impact of top-down institutional actions for gender equity has become palpable mostly due to its spreading across the large youth population of KSA (Assaad and Roudi-Fahimi, 2007). In this research, the authors asked how the target recipients (i.e. college students) of institutional gender-equity efforts might react.

9.4 CHALLENGES AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCREENING FOR PARENT ADHD IN PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE

ADHD is common in both parents and children, yet African American families are less likely to be diagnosed or treated, or to participate in clinical trials. Parent ADHD can significantly impact child development and treatment response. Most children receive primary care annually, presenting an opportunity to screen for ADHD in children and parents. Although pediatric providers are familiar with screening and managing ADHD in children, there is little guidance on how to effectively approach parents about their own ADHD. The current qualitative study describes challenges encountered and lessons learned when implementing a parent ADHD screening protocol in primary care serving a large population of African American youth and families. The study occurred within the context of a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial treating parents and children with ADHD with parental stimulant medication and behavioral parent training. To guide study implementation, a stakeholder advisory group was formed including pediatricians, behavioral health providers, clinic staff, and parents with ADHD or with a child with ADHD. Meetings were held before and during the study to seek feedback from stakeholders regarding factors that may influence recruitment and implementation of the treatment trial. Two meetings were held with 9 stakeholders during June and November 2020. Meetings were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. Stakeholder members were predominantly female (89%) and White (44%). Thematic analyses identified 6 themes: 1) centering Black people’s experiences with mental health care; 2) the value of integrating parent mental health with child mental health care; 3) sensitivity required when talking about parent mental health; 4) attention to medication hesitation; 5) effective vs ineffective strategies to identify parent mental health; and 6) structural barriers for screening parent ADHD in pediatric primary care. Findings provide suggestions (eg, describing symptoms vs using clinical labels, having conversations initiated by trusted providers) for pediatricians on how to engage parents effectively and sensitively in discussions about their own ADHD in the context of working with underserved multiplex families in primary care.

The nature and extent of demographic dividend in West Africa: National transfer account approach

The population of West Africa is fast growing with a projection of large youth population which may limit the potential opportunity provided by the African Agenda 2063 and the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the sub-region. This study investigates the nature and extent of demographic dividend in the West African sub-region, using the National Transfer Accounts (NTA) methodology. The Countries in the sub-region were aggregated based on the two available monetary zones including West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) and West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Findings reveal that children consumption is lower than for adults in West Africa. However, consumption expenditure is lower in the UEMOA countries, than in WAMZ or the West African average at all age groups. It is also found that UEMOA countries reached peak income earlier than those of WAMZ. In addition, consumption expenditure exceeds the labour income at all ages below 29 years while surplus ends at 63 years. The study further discovered that West Africa had entered the period of first demographic dividend since year 1999, and expected to peak in the year 2049.

Coloniality and Psychology: From Silencing to Re-Centering Marginalized Voices in Postcolonial Times

We adopt a decolonizing framework in this article to examine how legacies of colonialism and coloniality continue to manifest in Euro-American psychology. The population of India is now over 1.2 billion people with over 356 million youth they make up the world’s largest youth population, but their stories remain largely invisible in Euro-American psychology. For this article, we draw on a growing body of research by decolonial theorists and our ethnographic research. We argue that Euro-American psychological science now reworks the old forms of imperialism and domination in neoliberal contexts of globalization. In particular, we analyze (a) how mainstream psychological knowledge of “culture” and “diversity” have reinforced a neoliberal self in postcolonial India; (b) the varied ways in which identities, values, and mental health experiences of marginalized communities have been silenced and ignored through the application of Euro-American psychiatric and colonial psychological knowledge; and (c) how persistent caste-based violence and exploitation in contemporary times reflects the “internal coloniality” of Indian society.