Youth Perceptions Research Articles

The interplay between air pollution, built environment, and physical activity: Perceptions of children and youth in rural and urban India

The role of physical inactivity as a contributor to non-communicable disease risk in children and youth is widely recognized. Air pollution and the built environment can limit participation in physical activity and exacerbate non-communicable disease risk; however, the relationships between perceptions of air pollution, built environment, and health behaviours are not fully understood, particularly among children and youth in low and middle-income countries. Currently, there are no studies capturing how child and youth perceptions of air pollution and built environment are associated with physical activity in India, thus, this study investigated the association between perceived air pollution and built environment on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels of Indian children and youth. Online surveys captured MVPA, perception of air pollution as a problem, built environment factors, as well as relevant sociodemographic characteristics from parents and children aged 5–17 years in partnership with 41 schools across 28 urban and rural locations during the Coronavirus disease lockdowns in 2021. After adjusting for age, gender, and location, a significant association was found between the perception of air pollution as a problem and MVPA levels (β = −18.365, p < 0.001). Similarly, the perception of a high crime rate was associated with lower MVPA levels (β = −23.383, p = 0.002). Reporting the presence of zebra crossings, pedestrian signals, or attractive natural sightings were associated with higher MVPA levels; however, this association varied across sociodemographic groups. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing air pollution and improving the built environment to facilitate outdoor active living, including active transportation, among children and youth – solutions that are particularly relevant not only for preventing non-communicable disease risk but also for climate change mitigation.

Youth perception of difficulty accessing cannabis following cannabis legalization and during the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: repeat cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the COMPASS study

BackgroundVery little research has examined how perceptions of cannabis access among underage youth in Canada have changed since cannabis was legalized and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this paper examines the effect of the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth perceptions of cannabis access over time since the onset of the Cannabis Act in 2018 in a large sample of Canadian youth.MethodsUsing data from the COMPASS study (T1:2018/19, T2:2019/20, T3:2020/21), we used both repeat cross-sectional data [T1 (n = 38,890), T2 (n = 24,109), and T3 (n = 22,795)] to examine overall trends in perceptions of cannabis access, and sequential cohort longitudinal data [n = 4,677 students linked from T1 to T3] to examine the differential changes in perceptions of cannabis access among students over time.ResultsIn the cross-sectional sample, the frequency of students reporting that cannabis was easy to access decreased by 26.7% from T1 (51.0%) to T3 (37.4%), although respondents who have used cannabis were more likely to report access was easy. In the longitudinal sample, perceptions of cannabis access being easy increased over time, especially among cannabis users. Perceived ease of access appears to have been slightly impeded during the initial pandemic period but rebounded during the ongoing pandemic period.ConclusionsWhile the prevalence of youth reporting that cannabis is easy to access has declined since legalization and throughout the early and ongoing pandemic periods, a substantial number of underage youth continue to report that cannabis is easy to access. This suggest that there is an ongoing need for continued cannabis control efforts to address this issue.

Youth Perception in Using Virtual Reality Technology in Science Learning

Youth Perception in Using Virtual Reality Technology in Science Learning

Exploring the Association between Air Pollution and Active School Transportation: Perceptions of Children and Youth in India

Active school transportation (AST), including walking or cycling, is a common practice across India contributing to physical activity accumulation among children and youth. Despite the proven health benefits of AST, rising air pollution levels may offset these benefits and discourage AST. With climate change and severe heat waves exacerbating poor air quality, this study aimed to examine the association between perceptions of air pollution as a problem and AST among children and youth in India. No previous studies have assessed AST determinants from a child or youth perspective in India; thus, this cross-sectional, observational study surveyed 1042 children and youth from 41 urban and rural schools. Logistic regression models were conducted and stratified by age group, gender, and urban vs. rural location. Children and youth who perceived air pollution to be a problem were less likely to engage in AST (OR = 0.617, 95% CI = 0.412, 0.923, p &lt; 0.001), with AST varying based on age, gender, and location. The perception of air pollution as a problem was associated with a lower likelihood of engaging in AST in the 5- to 12-year age group (OR = 0.366, 95% CI = 0.187, 0.711, p = 0.003) but not in the 13- to 17-year age group. Similarly, males (OR = 0.528, 95% CI = 0.306, 0.908, p = 0.021) and rural residents (OR = 0.569, 95% CI = 0.338, 0.956, p = 0.033) who perceived air pollution as a problem were less likely to engage in AST; however, this association was not found in females or urban residents. These findings highlight the importance of child and youth perceptions of the environment in not only informing public health advisories for air quality and safe outdoor activity, but also for designing targeted interventions considering sociodemographic differences in AST among children and youth in India.

An Empirical Study of Youth Perceptions of Social Factors Influencing Audience Interest in the Bangladeshi Film Industry

Bangladesh has a rich and influential film history, which serves as an effective means of mass social communication. This research will give an in-depth look at the present situation of the Bangladeshi film sector emphasis on social perspectives. Bangladesh's film industry has flourished since the first screening of "Mukh O Mukhosh" in 1955 and the enactment of the "East Pakistan Film Development Organization" bill by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1958. Despite its historical significance, the film industry is still not economically viable. The study demonstrates the significance of reviving audience interest and combining mathematical and visual evaluations for a better understanding of public opinions. Analyzing the coefficients and multiple variables gives vital insights into the societal and artistic progress, serving as a guideline for scholars, learners, and film enthusiasts.

Perceptions of Agriculture by Elementary School and College Students in Mezam Division of North West Cameroon: A Qualitative Analysis

The study explored the perceptions of primary school pupils, secondary, and high school students in the Mezam Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Existing literature points to declining youth interest in agriculture grounded on a largely negative perception of the sector, however, there is scant data on youth perception of agriculture in Cameroon. In the face of rising youth unemployment, there is a need to generate relevant data that can inform policies relating to youth entry and participation in the country’s agriculture. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 7 primary, secondary, and high schools respectively. The data were analyzed using the thematic approach, leading to the emergence of themes. The findings of the study indicate that pupils and students have largely positive perceptions of agriculture which are however not translated into high aspirations for career development in the sector, suggesting a need for targeted actions at various levels of the educational system. Further research that addresses perceived determinants of youth attraction to agriculture in the country, will contribute to informing youth-specific policy towards agriculture.

Effect of Selected Music Soundtracks on Cardiac Vagal Control and Complexity Assessed by Heart Rate Variability.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of selected passive music therapy frequencies without vocals on selected cardio-vagal and complexity indices of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy youth, in terms of calming the human. 30 probands (15 male, averaged age: 19.7+/-1.4 years, BMI: 23.3+/-3.8 kg/m2) were examined during protocol (Silence baseline, Music 1 (20-1000 Hz), Silence 1, Music 2 (250-2000 Hz), Silence 2, Music 3 (1000-16000 Hz), and Silence 3). Evaluated HRV parameters in time, spectral, and geometrical domains represent indices of cardio-vagal and emotional regulation. Additionally, HRV complexity was calculated by approximate entropy and sample entropy (SampEn) and subjective characteristics of each phase by Likert scale. the distance between subsequent R-waves in the electrocardiogram (RR intervals [ms]) and SampEn were significantly higher during Music 3 compared to Silence 3 (p=0.015, p=0.021, respectively). Geometrical cardio-vagal index was significantly higher during Music 2 than during Silence 2 (p=0.006). In the subjective perception of the healthy youths evaluated statistically through a Likert scale, the phases of music were perceived significantly more pleasant than the silent phases (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.003, respectively). Our findings revealed a rise of cardio-vagal modulation and higher complexity assessed by short-term HRV indices suggesting positive relaxing effect music especially of higher frequency on human organism.

Youth Perspectives on Decent Education and College and Career Readiness

Decent education is conceptualized as playing an important role in preparing young people for college and career and eventual access to decent and satisfying work. While this is a promising extension of psychology of working theory for youth (PWT), the construct was derived from a review of literature, and needs to be informed by research, including youth perspectives. To address this gap and to advance research on youth PWT, we interviewed 17 high school seniors (11 female, four male, two non-binary) with diverse racial/ethnic identities and levels of caretaker educational attainment. Interviews were conducted in the year following the outbreak of COVID-19 with students attending innovative schools that feature student-centered learning, workplace internships, and close relationships with advisors and workplace mentors. Analyses conducted through Consensual Qualitative Research highlight youth perceptions of how relational supports and learning experiences at school and in workplace internships can promote a range of academic, vocational, social skills and psychological resources relevant for college and career readiness. The findings amplify youth understanding of decent education and extend knowledge of psychological resources, including youth purpose, self-efficacy, and critical consciousness, aligned with youth PWT.

COVID-19 PANDEMICS IMPACT ON UKRAINIAN STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE EU, EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND SOLIDARITY

The youth opinion and perceptions of the EU and EU-Ukraine relations and aspiration of Ukraine towards the EU membership have always been under the particular interest of scholars, policy-makers and civil society. Through years of Ukraine’s independence youth has been defined as a key target audience for the public policy, hence it is critically important to understand their opinions and attitudes, positions, and perceptions. As unprecedented a challenge as COVID-19 pandemics turned out to be for European solidarity and values could not but affect the attitudes to the EU and European integration in Ukraine. The purpose of this study is to identify any possible transformations the concept of EU and European solidarity occurred in the minds of Ukraine’s undoubtedly most pro-European social group (student youth aged 18–25). The survey was held by Ukrainian Association of Professors and Researchers of European Integration through March–May 2020, under the turbulent first months of pandemics at the very height of quarantine limitations in both the EU and Ukraine. By means of content analysis, concept analysis and categorization of unique empirical data collected within the frames of the all-Ukrainian student essay contest focused on COVID-19 impact upon European integration and solidarity, this study traces shifts in Ukrainian students’ attitudes to the EU and Ukraine’s European integration process and, where possible, identifies the types of media discourse and sources influencing the target group’s opinions.

'Is there value for us in agriculture?' A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Developing countries in Africa face an unemployment crisis, with many unemployed youth. Agriculture has been identified as a strategic sector for employment creation targeted at youth, including those who may not have agriculture-related qualifications. However, various challenges limit the effectiveness of youth participation in the agriculture value chain. The study aimed to (i) determine youth awareness of agricultural value-chain opportunities, (ii) determine their perception of their role in the value chain, (iii) determine their perception of agricultural programs targeting youth and their opinions on who is responsible for attracting youth into agriculture and, (iv) to characterise the dynamics of youth empowerment in agriculture. Data was collected using focus group discussions and an online survey and analysed using SPSS and NVivo. Poor knowledge, low levels of awareness of agricultural value-chain activities and careers, and not meeting the minimum requirements for employment in processing and retail businesses were identified as key challenges. Most youth were interested in non-primary activities such as agro-processing, which are less labour-intensive and have a quicker return on investment than agricultural production. However, support services and programs for promoting youth participation in agriculture mainly focus on primary activities, signifying a mismatch between youth aspirations and current support. Understanding youth aspirations, perceptions and dynamics underpinning youth empowerment and participation in value chains is critical for promoting participation and formulating relevant and responsive policies. Additionally, improving access to information and building awareness of agricultural value chains is crucial in reducing barriers to entry. Policymakers should integrate agriculture and food systems knowledge into the primary education curriculum to promote youth awareness and evoke interest in agri-food system careers at an early age.

Hopes and dreams: youth activities in civil society organizations in post-conflict countries

ABSTRACT For a long time, youth have been seen as a driving factor for conflicts or as victims of conflicts. While some literature and research on youth in conflict tend to be overly negative and focus on the danger posed by youth, we argue that these descriptions do not reflect reality: youth are crucial to sustainable peacebuilding and must, therefore, be included in conflict transformation processes. We demonstrate that while youth continue to experience difficulties in overtaking meaningful roles as actors of change in peacebuilding, there is an improvement in the acceptance of their agency. The article explores the case of Sierra Leone where the perception of youth can be seen as a massive change from immediately after the war to today. The article explores different roles that youth can have during and after a conflict, investigates positive impacts youth can have, describes what peace means for young people and how they would describe a desirable future, and finally speaks about how youth respond and interact with international ideas of peace and sustainability.

Mindchanger identification, analysis and recognition: youth perceptions

ABSTRACT Youth participation and activism are considered key factors in making the world a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable place. In line with this idea, in this work, we aim to understand how young people who actively participate in social organizations perceive the characteristics that define young ‘mindchangers.’ By this concept, we refer to a young citizen who is committed to social justice and willing to change society’s mindsets and catalyse active participation among their peers. In our research design, we adopted a quantitative methodological approach using a survey procedure. The results reveal a high level of agreement on the traits that define a Mindchanger. We conclude by emphasizing that the characteristics to which young respondents attribute the highest importance, such as ‘promoter of change’, ‘open-minded’, ‘interest in global issues’, ‘open to international solidarity’ and ‘empathy’, appear to have the greatest influence on the likelihood of becoming a Mindchanger.

The longitudinal effect of the quality of participation experiences in a voluntary organization on youth psychological empowerment.

Research shows its limitations by not capturing the specificities of individual experiences, which result either from the participation of or interaction among different people in a given context across time. This study explores the effect that the quality of youth participation experiences in a Portuguese voluntary organization can have on the development of their psychological empowerment (PE). This study adopted a longitudinal, quantitative design where the same cohort of 481 participants (62.4% female; Mage = 17.26 years) was followed across three time points. Latent growth curve modeling was performed to examine the effect of the quality of participation experiences (QPE) on the developmental trajectories of PEcomponents. Findings show that the QPEhad the most powerful effect on developmental trajectories in PE. The study shows how youth perceptions of opportunities for reflection and action in interaction in a climate of openness to dialogue and the emergence of different ways of thinking and doing affect their PE.

Perception and Challenges of Rural Youth Towards Agribusiness

Indian agriculture today does not stand on any one level when it comes to its development. Transition of agriculture towards agribusiness conveys that present day farmers are practicing agriculture in professional manner with intent of transforming it into commercial and more profitable activity as compared to early days. Agri-business generates potential employment opportunities too in agribusiness management and trade. Due to its nature of covering a wide range of activities of differing magnitude, agribusiness has got tremendous scope. The youth cohort plays a pivotal role across nations, exhibiting vibrancy, innovation, dynamism, and a commendable enthusiasm required to catalyze prospects for domestic progress. They manifest ardor, drive, and a resolute mindset, rendering them an invaluable reservoir of human capital. The developmental trajectory of a nation is contingent upon the magnitude of its youthful demographic, underscoring their instrumental role in its advancement. Therefore, keeping all this in mind the present study was undertaken with the objective to explore the perception and challenges about agribusiness among rural youth. The study was conducted in four districts of Haryana state where Agri Business Centers were located. Thus from Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, and Kurukshetra districts a sample of 240 rural youth from 16 villages formed the sample of the study. It was found that majority of the respondents had medium level of perception regarding economic, informational and technological aspects while high level of perception towards social and psychological aspects of Agribusiness activities. In relation to challenges perceived by rural youth in agribusiness, the study found that business know how and access to affordable employees were the most challenge that were perceived by youth when venture into agribusiness.

The power of personal connection in achieving inclusion: Youth perceptions of students with disabilities

The power of personal connection in achieving inclusion: Youth perceptions of students with disabilities

Updating, subtyping, and perceptions of the police: Implications of police contact for youths’ perceptions of procedural justice

AbstractIndividuals enter police encounters with expectations about how these interactions will unfold. These expectations are often rooted in racialized personal, vicarious, and collective experiences with the police. Bayesian updating posits that the way youth perceive treatment by the police during stops and arrests combines with prior expectations and perceptions to shape current views of the law, whereas subtyping suggests this process differs by race. This study examines intra‐ and interracial variability in these processes using longitudinal survey data from 3,085 Black and White youth. Regardless of race, youth who indicate they were treated with disrespect during police encounters had lower perceptions of procedural justice than did those with no contact, whereas contact perceived as respectful had no significant effects. For White but not Black youth, police encounters rated as “neutral” are associated with more negative views of the police. Other forms of legal socialization are also racialized, including messages conveyed in the media and by parents. Limited evidence exists that prior views of the police moderate the effect of police encounters on procedural justice or that these conditioning effects vary by race. Findings support updating, but race differences do not neatly align with findings expected with updating or subtyping theory.

Risks of inter-ethnic conflict in the North Caucasus in the perceptions of youth

The article analyzes the assessments and perceptions of the North Caucasus youth about the state of interethnic relations in the region. The North Caucasian region is distinguished by a high level of significance of confessional, ethnic and group identities, which creates the risk of conflict in interethnic relations. Significant differences remain in the degree of ethnic and confessional self-awareness among Russian and North Caucasian youth. The issues of compatibility of various value and socio-cultural foundations of the worldview of young people, the formation of unifying civil and cultural-civilizational foundations of the all-Russian identity are gaining importance. The purpose is to determine the conflict potential of interethnic relations in the North Caucasus in the perceptions of youth. Objectives are to identifying the causes of interethnic tension, determining the ethno-confessional factors of the conflict potential of inter-ethnic relations among young people, the degree of readiness to personally participate in ethno-confessional conflicts in the interests of their ethnic and confessional group, the significance of the main macro-identities: all-Russian, ethnic and confessional. When working on the research methodology, special attention was paid to modern Russian and foreign theoretical and methodological approaches to inter-ethnic conflicts, the role of ethno-political and economic factors of conflict potential and the determination of the causes of inter-ethnic tension in a multi-ethnic environment. Empirical data were obtained by a survey-questionnaire conducted in February-March 2023. 1,400respondents were interviewed– students of leading universities in the North Caucasus. A sub-sampling was carried out according to nationality and attitude to religion. The level of interethnic tension in the North Caucasus is assessed by the respondents as low. At the same time, the potential for conflict and the mobilization potential of ethnicity, their dependence on national identity, remains. Most of the respondents singled out socio-cultural reasons as the main reasons for interethnic tension in the North Caucasus: rejection of the culture and values of other peoples, hostility and prejudice towards other peoples. The all-Russian identity has been formed and is significant for all groups of respondents. Ethnic and confessional identities are also of great importance for North Caucasian youth. In the North Caucasus, there remain latent risks of conflict in interethnic relations among the youth, the mobilization potential of ethnic and confessional identity. The main causes of interethnic tension are of a value-ideological nature. In the minds of young people there is a high significance, along with the all-Russian, ethnic and confessional identity. There is a tendency for the "field of conflict" to flow from the ethno-political into the socio-cultural sphere. Emotional-psychological and socio-cultural reasons for young people are of greater importance than socio-economic and ethno-political ones.

Exposure to and Appeal of Tobacco Ads and Displays in China: A Qualitative Exploration of Chinese Youth Perceptions.

Adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to nicotine addiction, and smoking is common among male adolescents in China. Although China implemented a ban on cigarette and e-cigarette advertising in public places, Chinese youth remain exposed to this marketing, which may contribute to future use. From December 2021 to January 2022, we conducted 20 online focus group discussions with 119 adolescents in 10 Chinese cities to explore sources of tobacco marketing exposure, defined as exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette ads and product displays, and what features made marketing attractive. All groups discussed exposure to tobacco ads/displays in public places, including locations near their home or school. Nearly all groups discussed that exposure to online tobacco ads was common, particularly exposure to e-cigarette commercial ads and posts made by classmates or friends selling e-cigarettes. Most groups identified how eye-catching colors, imagery, product packaging, and price promotions featured in e-cigarette ads/displays attracted their attention. Results suggest Chinese adolescents are exposed to cigarette and e-cigarette ads and displays, many of which are placed in youth-friendly locations and contain youth-appealing features. Only a handful of studies have examined the influence of cigarette and e-cigarette advertising on youth in the context of China. Prior research has established the relationship between youth exposure to tobacco marketing and increased susceptibility to future use. Our findings emphasize the importance of effectively enforcing and expanding restrictions on cigarette and e-cigarette marketing in order to protect youth from exposure and future smoking/vaping initiation.

Exploring the Impact of Pakistani Vloggers' Content on Youth

This research study aims to explore the impact of vloggers' content on youth in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The study utilizes a qualitative research method and draws upon two theoretical frameworks: The Uses and Gratifications Theory and the Social Cognitive Theory. By examining the types of content produced by vloggers and their influence on youth perceptions and behaviours, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics between vloggers and their audience. Data collection involves interviews administered to a sample of youth participants, aiming to capture their engagement with vloggers' content and the perceived impact on their perceptions and behaviours. The interviews include questions related to the types of vloggers followed, the themes addressed in their content, and the influence on lifestyle choices, cultural trends, and societal norms. The research analyzes the collected data making themes and the thematic analysis, to identify patterns and correlations between vloggers' content and youth responses.

Youth Perceptions of Shemale; Celebrated TV Idols and Inglorious Public Ignominy

Shemale is a condition for a person who is medically male but behaves and acts like a woman. In general religious and socio-cultural views, the position of shemale is considered as part of a social deviation, which implies limited access to socio-economy, education, and other public spaces. The social marginalization of shemale, in turn, exacerbates the quality of life for shemale themselves. This condition is different from someone who identifies as shemale in the entertainment industry. In the world of entertainment, identity as shemale tends to get better reception and get a special space. This study uses a quantitative approach with descriptive-analytical methods on several data obtained from a data collection instrument in the form of a questionnaire and interview. The questionnaire was used to assess adolescents' views on the rise of celebrities who use shemale identity as a breaker in the world of entertainment as well as to assess the views of adolescents in accepting shemale groups in various social aspects, such as educational opportunities, work, and also family life which are calculated in numbers spread through an online form. The results of the data show that both in social and entertainment in general, adolescents tend not to reject the existence of a shemale, feel that their behavior is funny, and there are high doubts about whether this is appropriate.