Sri Lankan Youth Research Articles

Uncovering the Knowledge Gap: Sexual and Reproductive Health Education and Knowledge Among Unmarried Sri Lankan Youth

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is crucial to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. However, in Sri Lanka, little is known about the level of access to SRH education and knowledge among unmarried youth. This study aimed to assess perceptions of SRH education at school and the level of knowledge on selected aspects of SRH among unmarried youth aged 15–24 years in Sri Lanka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1057 unmarried male and female youth aged 15–24 years in three selected districts of Sri Lanka. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was operationalized after receiving informed consent. Twelve focus group discussions were also conducted with the youth. Results: A sizable proportion of youth demonstrated low access to SRH education and a low level of knowledge on pregnancy, contraception, and STIs. Although it is limited, respondents felt that the SRH education received in school is useful for their life. Friends and the Internet were identified as the primary sources of information among boys, whereas the mother was the primary source for the majority of girls. Boys demonstrated better SRH knowledge compared to girls for most of the aspects. SRH knowledge was increased among both boys and girls significantly with maturity. Conclusion: Results conclude that there is a significant knowledge gap on SRH among unmarried youth. Introduction of age-specific and gender-sensitive SRH education is important to address the current gap in SRH knowledge.

Evaluation on entrepreneurial intentions of Sri Lankan youth generation with special reference to Kurunegala district

Entrepreneurs are often referred to as "economic growth engines” as they can make a significant positive impact towards the social and economic development of a country. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the entrepreneurial intentions of Sri Lankan youth in the Kurunegala district. The United Nations defines youth as those aged 15 to 24, and the World Health Organization recognizes this age group as the youth population. This study used the assumptions of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model to address issues of entrepreneurial intentions. Social norms, entrepreneurial education, risk-taking proclivity, and attitude toward entrepreneurship were all independent variables. Entrepreneurial intention was the dependent variable. The population consisted of 384 Kurunegala district youth associated with the entrepreneurship discipline, and they were chosen as samples using purposive sampling techniques. A self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data, which was then analyzed using SPSS across multiple regression tests. There was no evidence of multicollinearity or heteroscedasticity. As per the results, entrepreneurial education, and attitude towards entrepreneurship have positive and significant relationship towards entrepreneurial intention whereas only risk-taking propensity did not contribute significantly towards entrepreneurship intention. Therefore, this discovery significantly contributes to our understanding of the factors influencing young people's entrepreneurial intentions in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, given the importance of entrepreneurial education as demonstrated by this study, it is critical that the nation take the necessary steps to advance entrepreneurial education and it is suggested that the entrepreneurship curriculum for students and undergraduates place more emphasis on developing youth's entrepreneurial education and attitudes.

INVITED ARTICLE: YOUTH IN THE SRI LANKAN POPULATION: EXPANSION OF THEIR SIZE, ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION AND EMERGING CHALLENGES

The main objective of the paper is to investigate the population dynamics of present and future decades with special reference to the youth population, and emerging challenges of youth with special reference to their education. Apart from the population projection information, data was collected from various publications of the Ministry of Education and the Department of Census and Statistics. The youth (age 15-29 years) bulge will be at its peak during the period of 2030s and 2040s. The data indicates a significant increase of school dropouts in Sri Lanka – compared to 2018 by 2020 the student population declined by about 151,000. Although, during the period 2016 to 2018 there was an increase of students in the Collegiate cycle (Grade 12/13), during 2018 to 2020 the student population declined by 146,000 – ‘Lost Generation’. The COVID-19 impact on school education could be attributed to this drop and economic recession and escalation of inflation have further discouraged students to move into Grade 11 and above levels. In this present serious economic recession and inflation, those who left schools would be pushed into vulnerable employment categories, including the sex industry. Thus, appropriate policy reform is an immediate need, to capitalize on the full potential of the Sri Lankan youth for the development of the nation.

Social networking and subjective well-being among Sri Lankan youth immigrants in South Korea

Labor migration is often seen as a means to offer economic stability to prospective migrants, especially in developing countries. However, the desire for migration becomes less favorable in the absence of the supportive framework fostered by social networks among immigrants. Sri Lankan youth from rural areas who frequently experience financial hardships are being encouraged to migrate to South Korea. This article investigates how social networking influences the subjective well-being of those Sri Lankan labor immigrants in South Korea. In-depth interviews, case studies, and the retrieval of social media data were used to collect data. According to the analysis, the capacity for social networking influences the outcomes of migration. In addition, migration to South Korea has been promoted not as an alternative to existing financial stability solutions, but as a mainstream strategy for enhancing life satisfaction, particularly for young rural men in Sri Lanka. In addition, it is discovered that the host country must provide an environment conducive to the operation of migrant networks. Overall, the article demonstrates that having access to migrant networks is a fundamental element in ensuring the well-being of immigrants.

Factors Associated with the Privacy Disclosure on Social Media by State University Students in Sri Lanka

The use of social media has become an integral part of the daily life of young people in Sri Lanka. The majority of Sri Lankan youth between the age of 16-25 use social media platforms with Facebook being the most popular one. However, the disclosure of personal information on social media has been associated with various drawbacks, including cyberbullying, identity theft, and physical harm. This research aims to investigate the factors associated with privacy disclosure on social media by state university students in Sri Lanka. The research population consists of undergraduate students from all 17 state universities in Sri Lanka, totalling 327,216 students. The sample is selected using convenience sampling, where 385 undergraduates were selected with a 95% confidence level, and a 5% error rate. The data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using statistical procedures such as correlation and multiple regression analysis employing SPSS software. The results of the study reveal that privacy concern was negatively correlated with privacy disclosure, indicating that as privacy concerns increased, students were less likely to disclose personal information on social media. Conversely, perceived benefits were positively correlated with privacy disclosure. These findings suggest that increasing awareness among students of the potential risks associated with sharing personal information online may be an effective measure to prevent privacy disclosure. Furthermore, the study opens avenues for future research to build on its findings and expand understanding of the complex nature of privacy disclosure behavior on social media.

Exploring the roles of personality traits and self-efficacy on environmental engagement: a Sri Lankan youth survey

Purpose Identifying the best predictors of environmental citizenship behavior (ECB) has been a major concern of both researchers and educators aimed at protecting environmental quality and sustain person-environment transactions. This study aims to examine the unique contribution of personality traits and self-efficacy beliefs to the ECB of university youth in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research approach used. The internet-based survey method was used to collect data from undergraduates studying at six state universities and two nonstate universities. The measurement items of five personality traits, ECB and academic self-efficacy were adopted on established scales from the literature. Findings Multiple regression results revealed that the personality traits of extraversion, agreeableness and openness to experience, as well as academic self-efficacy, are significant predictors of ECB. Extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience significantly influenced academic self-efficacy. Model 6 of the PROCESS macro results indicated that academic self-efficacy partially mediated the contribution of extraversion, agreeableness and openness to experience traits to ECB. Practical implications These findings have broad implications for interventions aimed at enhancing youth environmental behavior. Whereas personality traits represent stable individual characteristics that mostly derive from individual hereditary endowment. Originality/value The study showed a holistic approach in explaining ECB that combined both personality traits and self-efficacy beliefs, indicating that they are interrelated and should not be treated in isolation.

Reasons behind the Passivity of Sri Lankan Youth on Eco-Consciousness

This paper explores the reasons behind the passivity of Sri Lankan youth on Eco Consciousness. Even though there are enough debates, researches and discussions about being conscious towards nature in Sri Lanka, the youth between 18-25 of age could be identified as apathetic or are as environmentally not savvy. Due to current Covid-19 pandemic situations they are more engrossed in internet since internet has overpowered the youth. With the emergence of new social media such as Instagram, Facebook etc., the Sri Lankan youth has totally neglected being close to nature and being sensitive towards environmental issues and crimes. Eco-consciousness among most Sri Lankans are visible only when certain environmental crisis comes into a discussion platform or forum. The actual eco-conscious population is either politically silenced or is totally fed up due to the lethargic responses from the responsible parties. Therefore, Eco criticism could be used in order to enhance their eco consciousness.

Reflection of Environmental Citizenship Behaviour through Domestic Waste Disposal Practices: Examination on Youth in Sri Lanka

The comparison of Environmental Citizen Behaviour (ECB) and waste disposal mechanism is relatively unknown among youth. The study explores how ECB reflects through domestic waste disposal practices by analyzing extend of ECB and waste disposal practices among Sri Lankan youth descriptively. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was adopted to collect data from students in Sri Lankan universities. ECB was measured with a modified version of the eleven-item scale developed. Measurement properties were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis and mean comparison analysis were utilized as data analysis techniques. The study operationalized ECB as eco-initiatives, eco-helping and eco-civic engagement. Relative to eco initiative and eco helping, low practice was reported to eco-civic engagement. Presence of low and moderate ECB, the probability of using waste collection arrangement was high. Respondents with higher level of ECB, applicability of composting the waste is relatively high. However, dumping waste outside premises was also high among highest ECB. Compared to individuals with high and low ECB, burning waste was higher for moderate ECB. The findings suggest that there is a certain level of ECB that is necessary for waste disposal method selection, however when the ECB level optimized, it may affect waste disposal negatively. The joint inspiration of ECB and waste disposal is relatively unknown. In Sri Lanka, which is a developing context, there is a lack of studies about the connection between ECB and waste disposal.

Unmarried Sri Lankan youth: sexual behaviour and contraceptive use

BackgroundYouth are at high risk for casual and unprotected sexual activities even before marriage. The objective of the study is to describe the sexual behavior, and contraceptive use among unmarried youth of Sri Lanka and to assess the factors associated with sexual behaviour.MethodsAn observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three selected districts in Sri Lanka from 1st March 2019 to 31st January 2020 among 1057 never-married youth using a self-administered questionnaire. Both stratified cluster sampling and snowball sampling were used to select the eligible never-married youth. Factors associated with sexual intercourse were assessed using logistic regression.ResultsCompared to boys (26%), more girls (35%) were engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse. Among sexually active unmarried youth aged less than 20 years, 10% had sexual intercourse with an unknown person. Unmarried Tamil and estate sector youth displayed significantly lower chances of sexual intercourse compared to Sinhala and urban counterparts (OR = 0.390, CI = 0.213-0.715, p = 0.002 and OR = 0.807, CI = 0.709-0.978, p = 0.020 respectively). Youth in the rural (69.5%) and urban sectors (87.3%) tend to use contraceptives during intercourse compared to the youth in the Estate sector (51.1%).ConclusionsA significant portion of youth are exposed to sexual risk behavior including unprotected sexual intercourse even before marriage which can contribute to many social and health consequences. Focus interventions are needed to address the issue.

Examining the psychological and behavioural patterns of students in Sri Lanka during COVID-19: A qualitative study

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 pandemic affected many international students, including the Sri Lankan youth and young adults who were studying in the United Kingdom (UK), and repatriated to the motherland during the first wave. The current study aimed to explore and understand the lived experiences, behaviour, and psychological patterns of these students during their lockdown in the UK; quarantine and self-isolation; and repatriation back to Sri Lanka. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was planned and conducted in a quarantine environment based on the lived experiences of two authors (KA and NW), who were also repatriated students due to COVID-19 pandemic. A convenient sample of sixteen (16) repatriated students (age ranged from 18 – 34) participated in the study. Data was collected using multiple methods including questionnaires, researchers’ objective observations and semi-structured interviews (conducted over the phone or online). The thematic analysis method was used for data analysis. Results: Both positive and negative psychological and behavioural patterns were observed. Three themes emerged were: (1) Fear, worry and anxiety, (2) Irritability and agitation, and (3) Adherence to safety precautions. Many reported negative abrupt changes to their education and lifestyles during this stressful situation. Perceived stigma and emotional imbalance have caused difficulty in coping. Positive changes such as increased efficacy in academic activities, exploring new hobbies and healthy coping skills were also reported. Conclusion: Findings highlight the need for addressing age-specific behavioural, psychological, and educational needs of youth and young adults when developing guidelines to manage similar situations in the future and to increase resilience.

The Nine-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS9-SF): Its Psychometric Properties among Sri Lankan Students and Measurement Invariance across Sri Lanka, Turkey, Australia, and the USA.

The prevalence of internet gaming disorders (IGD) is considerably high among youth, especially with the social isolation imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. IGD adversely affects mental health, quality of life, and academic performance. The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS9-SF) is designed to detect IGD according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. However, inconsistent results are reported on its capacity to diagnose IGD evenly across different cultures. To ensure the suitability of the IGDS9-SF as a global measure of IGD, this study examined the psychometric properties of the IGDS9-SF in a sample of Sri Lankan university students (N = 322, mean age = 17.2 ± 0.6, range = 16–18 years, 56.5% males) and evaluated its measurement invariance across samples from Sri Lanka, Turkey, Australia, and the USA. Among Sri Lankan students, a unidimensional structure expressed good fit, invariance across different groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, and income), adequate criterion validity (strong correlation with motives of internet gaming, daily gaming duration, and sleep quality), and good reliability (alpha = 0.81). Males and online multiplayers expressed higher IGD levels, greater time spent gaming, and more endorsement of gaming motives (e.g., Social and Coping) than females and offline players. Across countries, the IGDS9-SF was invariant at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, although strict invariance was not maintained. The lowest and highest IGD levels were reported among Turkish and American respondents, respectively. In conclusion, the IGDS9-SF can be reliably used to measure IGD among Sri Lankan youth. Because the scale holds scalar invariance across countries, its scores can be used to compare IGD levels in the studied countries.

The health of young people in Sri Lanka: conducive environment for road to adulthood – a desk review

Investing in young people is considered a high priority for developing a strong foundation for the future and it has higher benefit-cost ratios. Identifying the present environment in Sri Lanka for the health of young people is important for providing recommendations for the future. This desk review was carried out to review the current environment that is facilitating the health of young people in Sri Lanka. The documents relevant for understanding the current context of policies and strategies on the health of young people were studied. Databases including Google Scholar and PubMed, websites, and documents collected from the experts and key persons were searched. A narrative report with key recommendations was prepared by synthesis of the information extracted. According to the review, there are policies, laws guidelines, and programs in Sri Lanka that address youth health and support access for services and also provide an environment that is conducive for access. These are supported directly and indirectly to the access and provision of the health of youth. There are many positive aspects for youth in the areas of education and health, although there are certain challenges and gaps yet to be addressed. There are very few misleading legal frameworks that prevent youth from accessing sexual health services. Restructuring of school and higher education systems, focusing on a skill-based education system, is an investment that will have a direct effect on promoting the health status of youth. The establishment and strengthening of youth-friendly services will be of utmost importance to improve the status of Sri Lankan youth, addressing the health issues in youth will need inter-sectoral collaboration.

"Child's Play"; Pestering Power Influencing a Parent's Purchasing Behavior in Sri Lanka

Aims: For years, there has been extensive attention in both theoretical and sociological literature regarding a child's ability to exert influence on behavior; in both developed and developing countries, a child's pester power has well recognized by interested parties. Pester Power, often known as the 'nag factor,' refers to adolescent shopping requests directed at their parents.
 Methodology: Due to the scarcity of information available on this social phenomenon in Sri Lanka, this paper focuses on conceptualizing a consistent set of factors and determinants discovered after an extensive literature review from a large number of sources and providing a foundation for future research that addresses an empirical and practical gap.
 Results: This paper presents a concept model that can be used by Sri Lankan sociological as well as theoretical academicians and researchers to predict the pester power of Sri Lankan youth and adolescents. The model includes demographic, socio-psychographic, and informative factors that could influence the pester power of Sri Lankan youth and adolescents.
 Originality: Because this is the first study of its kind in Sri Lanka, marketers and academics will be able to focus their attention on the growing behavior of young consumers in Sri Lanka in relation to the FMCG market by using this consistent set of factors.
 Conclusion: Despite the fact that Sri Lanka has a very traditional culture that places a premium on conformity to group norms and social acceptance and thus confirms a collectivistic culture in which children are expected to be subservient, there is this new wave of incredibly energetic, more informed young children who make their own consumer decisions. Empirical evidence on the increasing participation of children in family purchasing and their conversion into active consumers in a rapidly expanding market in south east Asian countries is predominant.

Increasing the Political Involvement and Political Literacy of Sri Lankan Youth: A Communication Design Aspect

Majority of the younger generation of Sri Lanka in particular have a very low regard for the whole subject of politics. The reason for this has been the political dysfunction that they witness in their day-to-day lives. The most common dialogue they hear concerning politics is one where the older generations acknowledge that the political landscape is an utter mess.

Factors Affecting Body Mass Index (BMI) of Sri Lankan Youth Population

Obesity is an increasing health problem in developed countries and it is same for developing countries like Sri Lanka. Obesity can be defined as a condition where fat has accumulated to such an extent that health is adversely affected. There are several measures available in determining whether a person is obesity or not. Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the very popular and highly used measuring techniques all around the world. A great number of studies have investigated factors related to obesity in overseas but no research work has been conducted in Sri Lankan context. This research is an attempt to identify a model which shows the relationship between BMI, demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors, and dietary intake in Sri Lanka youth population. As the initial stage of this study, a literature review was carried out to study about BMI. A conceptual model was developed by looking at the factors affecting person’s overweight or obesity in global context. After studying the global scenario the next step was to look at the Sri Lankan context using empirical data. A survey research approach was undertaken by means of structured questionnaires which were administered to a random sample of 243 youths. The data was analysed using both descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. The findings show a significant association among a number of factors, overweight and obesity in Sri Lankan youth population. Regression model demonstrated that gender, marital status, family size, employment status, household income, smoking habit, alcoholic, mode of transport and routine exercise pattern affects the BMI. Being vegetarian or non-vegetarian and educational level have not being positively associated with increasing weight. Also it can be recommended that Sri Lanka should start prevention efforts before obesity extends to a larger proportion of the population.

Youth and Youth’s Religiosity in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan youth and youth religiosity has indicated that youth as being hopeless and revolutionary, but this study shows that it is not always through when one closely looks at the everyday life of youth in a more ethnographical sense. The ethnographical accounts that researcher has presented; indicates the way young people behave, contest, and negotiate in the context of a sacred site as well as how youth assimilate and transform their religious heritage quite different even though they proclaim their affinity with religion. Youth pilgrims come to Sri Pada to worship and to ask for help. No doubt many youths do go to Sri Pāda for more than worshipping the sacred footprint and the deity, or than seeking favour from its divine powers for their worries and frustration. This paper explained their ‘sacred’ intentions are combined with the achievement of maximum pleasure. Both the pleasurable and the religious dimensions of these specific pilgrim groups were explored through the accounts of personal experiences (e.g., through case studies and memories of pilgrims). These youth pilgrims visit Sri Pada with different motivations and intentions, both ‘religious’ and ‘secular’. The interconnecting of both sacred and secular aspects of Sri Lankan youth have not been considered when they were identified as a sociological category and this paper is suggested to overcome that conceptual inadequacy of youth research in Sri Lanka.

Lion’s blood: social media, everyday nationalism and anti-Muslim mobilisation among Sinhala-Buddhist youth

Sri Lanka has recently seen an upsurge in aggression towards ethnic minorities, and Muslims in particular, by newly formed extremist Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist groups. The politicisation of Buddhism is not new but the development and use of social media for political purposes and for advancing ethno-nationalist agendas is a recent feature of Sri Lankan public and political life. This study explores the parallel emergence of new media technologies and the most recent forms of ethno-nationalism among Sri Lankan youth. A campaign known as SinhaLe is used as an entry point to explore broader issues of identity, religion and politics. The article uses an anthropological approach that combines digital ethnography with in-depth interviews and pays close attention to individual narratives. The article concludes that social media is offering a new forum for the expression of identity that not only mirrors ‘what is out there’ but also provides opportunities to (re)produce viral politics as a form of ‘everyday nationalism’ created from below.

Learning from our mothers: examining the role of intergenerational knowledge transfer in advancing gender equity among Sri Lankan youth

Abstract Background In a 2013 survey, over half of Sri Lankan men and women expressed gender-inequitable attitudes that equated masculinity with violence, and femininity with obedience to men. High rates of gender-inequitable attitudes are a community-level risk factor for gender-based violence including rape and intimate partner violence. In Sri Lanka, public health practitioners focused on reducing the health disparities resulting from gender inequity need to better understand the processes by which gender-inequitable attitudes develop and how to prevent them. The goal of this research was to identify potential points of intervention at which appropriate programmes and policies could most effectively cultivate gender-equitable attitudes among young people in Sri Lanka. Methods Over 9 months in 2016 and 2017, we interviewed more than 30 young adults in Sri Lanka to understand how their experiences helped them to develop their own gender identity, as well as to understand and respond to gender norms. Their responses were analysed using a grounded theory approach to explore which factors have most influenced the processes of gender norm learning, acceptance, or rejection throughout Sri Lankan young adults' lives. Findings Many interviews focused on the impact of elder family members on the interviewee's perception and acceptance of gender norms. Many young adults who did not agree with gender-inequitable norms reported receiving advice from their parents or other elder relatives to disregard norms and pursue their own non-conforming interests. In one example, many non-working mothers insisted on their daughters working and becoming financially independent. Interpretation Young people in Sri Lanka are repeatedly confronted by gender-inequitable attitudes in school, the media, politics, and society at large. However, family members can support youth to develop gender equitable attitudes and behaviours within this gender-inequitable society. Harnessing elders' positive wishes for their offspring's future may prove essential to advancing gender equity in the next generation of Sri Lankan adults. Even from gender-inequitable roles, parents may still support gender equity, and could be encouraged through public health interventions to support their children in realising their full potential. Elder family members are an untapped public health resource for advancing gender equity and reducing its related health disparities among Sri Lankan youth. Funding 2016 Fulbright US Student Grant.

The role of religion in youth exposed to disasters in Sri Lanka

ABSTRACTLittle research is available on the role of religious coping among youth exposed to disasters. This study examined the role of general and religious coping in a sample of 669 Sri Lankan Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian youth (mean age = 14). Youth completed a survey with measures of exposure to disaster-related stressors, psychological and psychosocial functioning, and general and religious coping. Exposure to stressors was the most consistent predictor of negative outcomes, while approach-related coping predicted better outcomes for Buddhist and Hindu youth. Religious coping was the highest reported type of coping for all four religious groups, but was not significantly associated with any of the measured outcomes. The results suggest that Sri Lankan youth of different religious backgrounds are probably more similar than different in the ways they cope with adversity.

‘United we stand, divided we fall’: a case study of Sri Lankan youth in citizenship development

Citizenship is essentially a legal formality that denotes membership of a state. However, it should contain an emotional element for individuals to willingly identify themselves with the nation-state. The absence of such emotion often prompts bloody conflicts where people attempt to carve independent entities of power by fragmenting the nation-state. Youth, with their inherent zest for grand ventures, are often keen participants and even initiators of such conflicts. Citizenship therefore should entail an active process of emotional engagement especially of youth in order that sustainable solidarity may be fostered. Sri Lanka stands as an ideal case study in this regard, demonstrating the terrible consequences of the isolation of youth – whether real or perceived – from the collective identity of the state and the equally powerful impact they can have when properly integrated into the state mechanism. This paper discusses Tamil youth disillusionment in Sri Lanka that manifested itself in a vicious ethnic conflict in juxtaposition with the role of Sri Lankan youth as agents of peaceful change in a post-war nation-building context. In drawing a conclusion, the paper discusses the importance of active civic engagement of youth in building ‘One Nation One People’.