Young People's Use Research Articles

Participation Strategies Used by Young People With and Without Physical Disabilities.

Participation strategies used by young people (YP) are understudied. This study aimed to identify strategies used by YP with and without physical disabilities to promote participation at home, school, community, and workplace. In this qualitative descriptive study, 106 participants ages 12 to 30 ( = 22.7) years, with (n = 52) and without (n = 54) physical disabilities, reported up to three strategies to facilitate their participation in four settings using the Youth, Young-Adult Participation and Environment Measure. A total of 1,235 strategies were analyzed using inductive content analysis. As a result, 11 categories emerged; seven were environment-focused and four were person-focused. Both groups used time management, built on intrinsic factors, and utilized social support across all settings. At school, those with disabilities uniquely benefited from accommodative institutional environments. They also reported more strategies involving advocacy, analyzing a situation, and seeking accommodative physical and social environments. The findings illustrate a range of participation strategies YP use that may inform ways to promote participation more effectively.

Young people's experiences and use of violence in the home: Examining four types of child maltreatment, their intersections and self-reported use of violence in the home

BackgroundChild maltreatment has received substantial academic attention. However, little remains known about the intersection of different types of child maltreatment and their association with young people's use of violence in the home. ObjectiveTo examine the intersection of child maltreatment types and the intergenerational transmission of violence through young people's use of violence in the home. Participantsand setting: A total of 5021 young people (16–20 years old) completed an online survey, recruited using non-probability sampling via survey panels. MethodsAnalyses were carried out using χ2 tests and a series of binary logistic regressions to examine the association between participant characteristics and unique child maltreatment experiences with different forms of maltreatment and young people's use of violence. ResultsOverall, 29.9% of participants had experienced at least one form of maltreatment and 16.7% reported experiences of multi-type maltreatment. The most common experiences were childhood experiences of domestic violence (CEDV) (27.3%), followed by verbal/emotional abuse (17%), which both increased the likelihood of also experiencing physical abuse (OR = 5.85 and OR = 10.21, respectively). Cisgender females and children living with a disability were more likely to experience all four types of maltreatment. Experiences of verbal/emotional abuse (OR = 4.56), and CEDV (OR = 4.52) increased the risk of young people's use of violence in the home. ConclusionsFindings contribute to a growing body of work recognising CEDV as a distinct form of child maltreatment which intersects with other experiences of abuse, including young people's use of violence in the home.

Identify Factors Influencing Young People's Use of Eco-friendly Shopping Bags in the China Guangdong Province

The severity of plastic pollution is increasing, and delaying sustainable development is not an option. China is a large consumer of plastic, so it is essential to encourage the use of eco-friendly shopping bags there. The paper focuses on the recognition and use of eco-friendly shopping bags among young people in Guangdong Province, China, and determines what factors can lead to a rise in the use of these bags. A questionnaire was utilized to gather data from 392 young people in Guangdong Province using a quantitative research approach. According to the data from the questionnaire, they generally are supportive of eco-friendly shopping bags. Ultimately, the paper's data emphasize the positive effects of materials (paper material), function (internal compartment), and design (green label). For the purpose of advocating sustainable development, this paper provides helpful guidance for the design of eco-friendly shopping bags.

Young people's use of disposable vapes: A qualitative study.

Youth use of disposable vapes has increased markedly in the United Kingdom in recent years, yet little is known about the motivations, experiences and perceptions of young people themselves. This study aimed to explore young people's experiences and use of disposable vapes. This was a qualitative study recruiting young people reporting regularly vaping disposables, collecting data via dyad guided, individual and group interviews. Data analysis was theoretically informed by the Social Ecological Model. Inductive and deductive coding approaches were used, with resolution of coded interpretations by consensus. Twenty-nine young people aged 16-20 years participated in qualitative interviews. At the individual level, participants discussed how characteristics of disposable vapes were important to them-particularly price, accessibility and the attractive designs, colours, names and flavours. Young people frequently engaged in both vaping and tobacco smoking, seeing the behaviours as interchangeable dependent on context, and having inaccurate relative harm perceptions of vaping compared with smoking. Experimentation was widespread and many used vapes as a way of managing stress and anxiety. Vaping was positioned as a social behaviour, common among peers. Parental influence on vaping behaviour was minimal, although vaping initiation could be influenced by family vaping norms. Culturally, vaping was a widespread normalized behaviour. Young people were aware of media reports and potential harms, but were less aware of smoking related harms as a consequence. Disposable vapes appear to be attractive and accessible to young people in the United Kingdom. Vaping is normalized in this population, despite being seen as potentially damaging to health, and vaping and smoking are engaged in interchangeably. Underage sales of vapes are reportedly widespread. Strict regulation, such as banning products or increasing prices, may prompt UK youth to switch from vaping to smoking.

Psychometric Validation of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale in Spanish Adolescents.

Despite problematic internet use being especially high among adolescents, there are no screening instruments in Spain specifically for adolescents that would facilitate early detection of this problem. The main goal of this study was to validate the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) in the adolescent Spanish population as well as to analyze the discriminative capacity of CIUS based on sociodemographic characteristics, grade point average, and other addictive behaviors. Data were obtained from the ESTUDES, a representative survey of addictive behaviors of Spanish adolescents. The sample consisted of a total of 34,308 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years old (Mage = 15.70; SD = 1.19; 51.7% females). Results indicated that the CIUS fit a unidimensional structure, exhibited measurement invariance with respect to sex and age, and demonstrated excellent reliability (ω = .94). Past-month tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use, as well as past-year gambling and gaming, were related to CIUS scores. A standardized screening instrument that provides valid, reliable information on young people's use of the Internet in Spain is a critical requirement for successful early detection and intervention in this population.

More research needed regarding psychedelics' effects on youths

A study of adolescents in Sweden appears to offer some promising findings on risk associated with young people's use of psychedelics, but the lead researcher warns that limitations in the analysis should give pause to anyone seeking to draw firm conclusions about the drugs' safety.

STUDY ON THE CONSUMPTIOM IMPACT OF THE OTT PLATFORM AMONG YOUTH

The rise of over-the-top (OTT) services has revolutionized the entertainment industry, particularly for younger generations. The effects and habits of young people's use of over-the-top (OTT) platforms are the subject of this research. The elements that impact the engagement of youth with over-the-top (OTT) material, including accessibility, diversity of content, and affordability, are investigated in this study using a mixed-methods approach that includes surveys, interviews, and content analysis. More specifically, the study investigates how young people's attitudes and behaviors are affected by the social and psychological effects of long-term OTT use. It also delves at how OTT platforms could change the way people watch traditional media and how society is evolving. Implications for content creators, advertisers, and lawmakers are offered by the findings, which offer vital insights into the changing environment of young media consumption. Keywords: OTT platforms, youth, consumption patterns, entertainment industry, mixed-methods approach, content diversity, affordability, psychological effects, social impacts, traditional media, societal trends, media consumption.

The social-structural contexts of cannabis consumption and harm reduction among young Nigerian women

BackgroundYoung women remain under-represented in the research literature on young people's cannabis use. This study explored cannabis use and harm reduction practices of young Nigerian women. MethodsThe study draws on 19 in-depth interviews conducted with young women aged 21–35 years who were recruited through time-location sampling in Uyo, Nigeria. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic coding and analysis. ResultsAccounts highlighted a rapid progression from occasional consumption during hang-outs to regular and heavy consumption for most participants. Frequent and heavy cannabis use, shaped by trauma, stress and mental health problems linked to participants’ marginal social locations, established a context of risk for health harms. The participants sought to reduce harms by attempting to reduce frequency and quantity of cannabis consumed, often with limited success. They also micro-dosed to monitor drug effects, avoided mixing cannabis with more potent drugs, sought out cannabis strains with lower THC as well as consuming privately to reduce social harms such as violence and police arrest associated with using in street milieus. On the other hand, cannabis consumption was seen as helping to reduce harms by providing a relatively safer and less addictive alternative to drugs such as heroin and pharmaceutical opioids, preventing high-risk sexual exchanges often associated with opioid withdrawal among women, and relieving pain. ConclusionsCannabis was consumed recreationally at first, and harmful consumption patterns developed from using cannabis to treat the psychological symptoms of structural inequalities. The analysis supports the social-structural production of drug-related harms, foregrounding the importance of structural-level interventions for creating an enabling environment for safer consumption.

Internet-Based Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Colombian Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a sensitive subject, and young people may be unfamiliar with how to access SRH services. In this cross-sectional study, we examined young people's internet use to understand how they accessed SRH clinics in Colombia. This study also explored Colombian youth's interest in online material teaching how to access SRH services. Methods: During August 2019-February 2020, patients aged 10-24 years old presenting at two SRH clinics in Colombia were invited to answer a survey. Chi-square tests were performed to assess possible differences in how participants inquired how to access the clinic according to sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Among the 812 patients who participated, 91.4% were female and the median age was 19 years. To inquire how to access the SRH clinic, 30.7% of participants asked their parent(s) and 24.0% used the internet. Participants aged 20-24 years old were more likely to use the internet compared to younger participants (p < .001). Most respondents (81.5%) were interested in the availability of online material explaining how to access SRH services. Conclusions: While Colombian youth learned about how to access SRH clinics from several different sources, the vast majority indicated their interest in having access to online materials explaining how to access SRH services.

Influence of Instagram Exposure on People Happiness and Self Esteem

This study investigated at how young people's perceptions of their self esteem and level of happiness in Northern Cyprus were affected by using Instagram. A quantitative study was conducted. 99% of the international students at Cyprus University who were between the ages of 18 and 30 contributed to the sample size of 380, which was determined using the Cochran formula. Data were gathered via an online questionnaire that included validated performance indicators such the Subjective Happiness Scale, the Instagram Intensity Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The aim of the survey was to determine the participants' level of satisfaction and self-esteem while use Instagram. The study's findings indicated that young people's use of Instagram had a detrimental effect on their level of happiness. However, using Instagram positively impacted the self-esteem of those who idealised the selected portrayals of others on social media and engaged in upward social comparison. The study produced several helpful recommendations, such as helping kids develop their critical thinking and media literacy skills so they can evaluate and understand how social media affects their overall welfare and mental health. Provide mental health resources and support services to students who may be experiencing negative consequences on their mental health as a result of consuming social media.

Examining the relationship between online chatting and PISA reading literacy trends (2000-2018)

Strong claims have regularly been made in the popular media about the alleged negative effects of young people's language use in written exchanges via digital media (what is known as textese). This is especially believed to affect their reading and writing skills. However, the scientific research literature has hardly confirmed such effects. Its conclusions are generally based on cross-sectional comparisons between individuals who differ in how much they exchange written messages via digital media. In contrast, the present study examines to what extent per-country changes in the prevalence of online chatting coincide with changes in the reading literacy of consecutive student cohorts. This approach presents a novel perspective. The findings relate to data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) surveys conducted during 2000–2018. The data analysis showed a strong correlation between variations in per-country patterns regarding the spread of online chatting during 2000–2018 and changes in the reading literacy of 15-year-olds. Countries with low chatting prevalence in 2009 showed substantial improvement in reading literacy from 2000 to 2009. These trends typically reversed to declines when after 2009, online chatting prevalence sharply increased in those countries. A contrasting pattern applied to countries with high chatting prevalence in 2009 and decelerating growth in online chatting afterward.

Young people's alcohol use in and around water: A scoping review of the literature.

The surrounding social and commercial context, including alcohol advertising, heavily influences alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is a major risk factor for both fatal and non-fatal drowning, particularly for young people. We conducted a scoping review to explore the peer-reviewed literature on the use of alcohol by young people (aged 15-34 years) in the context of aquatic environments. Five electronic academic databases were searched for English-language studies conducted in high-income countries and published in the last 15 years (since 2008). The MetaQAT framework was used to assess methodological quality of included studies. The review included a total of 24 studies, including those addressing the prevalence of and/or risk factors for alcohol use in aquatic environments among young people (n = 13); the epidemiology of alcohol-related unintentional drowning in young people (n = 9); and interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm around water (n = 3). Findings suggest that young people commonly consume alcohol around water, particularly young men. We found multiple influences on this behaviour, including the perception of risk, location of aquatic activity and presence of others, particularly peers. Understanding the literature addressing alcohol use around water among young people will assist in identifying and setting priorities for drowning prevention, including the need to mitigate the effects of alcohol advertising which promotes drinking in and around water. There is a clear imperative to address the use of alcohol by young people in aquatic environments. These findings have key implications for public health policy, advocacy and practice.

The Social Inequality of Music: University Students from a Higher Social Class Are More Likely to Build Relationships and Feel Happiness Through Music.

The relationship between young people's music use and well-being has gained extensive interest in recent years. The relationship-building function of music is one of its most important functions. While many studies have documented the positive effects of this function, there is a lack of research discussing this topic from the perspective of social stratification. This study sampled 691(63.8% male, M age = 19.43, SD = 1.42) Chinese university students to examine the social class differences among university students in acquiring well-being through the relationship-building function of music. The results revealed that university students from a higher social class are more likely to acquire well-being through the relationship-building function of music. In addition, interdependent self-construal plays a moderating role in the mediating model. The mediating effect was only significant when university students have a higher level of interdependent self-construal. These results indicated social class differences among university students in the building of relationships with music, underscoring the need for future research and interventions to address social inequality in the context of music's functions.

Exposure to e-cigarette advertising and young people's use of e-cigarettes: A four-country study.

The World Health Organization recommends banning all forms of e-cigarette advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The aims of the present study were to: 1) examine young people's exposure to e-cigarette advertising across a wide range of media in four diverse countries; and 2) identify any association between the number of different types of media exposures and e-cigarette use. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to approximately 1000 people aged 15-30 years in Australia, China, India, and the United Kingdom (n=4107). The survey assessed demographic characteristics, e-cigarette and tobacco use, numbers of friends and family members who vape, and exposure to multiple forms of e-cigarette advertising (e.g. television, radio, print, and various types of social media). Descriptive analyses were conducted on those who had heard of e-cigarettes (n=3095, significance threshold p<0.001) and a logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with e-cigarette ever use (significance threshold p<0.05). The majority (85%) of respondents who had heard of e-cigarettes reported being exposed to e-cigarette advertising on at least one type of media, and the average number of types of media to which respondents were exposed was 5 (range: 0-17). The number of media types was significantly associated with ever use of e-cigarettes (OR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, p=0.001). Despite advertising restrictions in place in all four countries, large majorities of young people reported being exposed to e-cigarette advertising. Social media and advertising on/around vape shops and other retailers appear to be key exposure locations. Urgent attention is needed to address these forms of exposure given their apparent association with e-cigarette use.

Vintage cameras: young people's nostalgic practices on social media and the pursuit of identity in contemporary China

ABSTRACT This article investigates the phenomenon of young people in China rejecting new technologies, embracing nostalgia, and engaging with nostalgic practices on social media platforms. Conducting qualitative interviews with participants recruited from the popular Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, the study draws on frameworks of social media fatigue and cultural capital to reveal the multi-layered motivations behind young people's use of vintage digital cameras as a means of resistance against the dominant consumerist culture and for self-expression. The findings emphasize the role of cultural capital in shaping nostalgic practices, as young people strategically accumulate and display it to distinguish themselves. This study highlights the complex interplay between cultural capital, identity, and social dynamics in contemporary Chinese society, shedding light on the diverse strategies employed by young people to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.

Understanding how peers respond to online child maltreatment disclosures: A qualitative content analysis of family violence discussions on social media

BackgroundPositive, supportive responses to child maltreatment disclosure are critical for victims to receive appropriate resources and support for healing. Young people often prefer to disclose to their peers, frequently on social media platforms. ObjectiveWe assessed young people's use of TalkLife, an online peer-to-peer support platform, to respond to the disclosure of child maltreatment. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative content analysis of 1090 comments on childhood maltreatment-related posts on TalkLife between 2013 and 2020. We used an iterative, team-based qualitative content analysis approach to understand how peers responded to maltreatment disclosure. FindingsPeer responses tended to be supportive, including asking questions about the abuse and offering advice, emotional support, and other positive responses. Most commonly, peers advised the victim to report, focus on their strengths instead of the abuse, reach out to adults for more support, or confront the perpetrator. On occasion, however, peers began an irrelevant discussion, joked about the situation, or even directly attacked the discloser. ConclusionsLearning about child maltreatment disclosures on social media builds the foundation for research to assist in identifying and applying interventions on online platforms. Further, these findings can inform programs that teach how to provide healthy responses to child maltreatment disclosures.

Literary communities in social media: the influence of motivations on engagement and purchase intention in women

A decreasing trend in young people's recreational reading habits has been observed worldwide. On the other hand, young people's daily use of social media has increased dramatically in recent years. With this evolution, different literary communities and influencers also emerged on social media.&#x0D; It is necessary to understand the motivations that lead users to engage in social media to maintain an active and involved community. Researchers have already discussed a core set of motivations to participate in online communities. However, most studies focus on brand communities, and few analyze literary communities' specific cases.&#x0D; There are various motivations for participating in communities. However, we highlight the social motivations (meeting people, being part of the community, sharing information, listening to other opinions) and hedonic ones (because participating in them is a pleasant, fun, enjoyable activity).&#x0D; Engagement in social media can be measured through a passive attitude of lurkers who only see published content or an active attitude when users comment and publish content on social media, generating discussion and interaction in the community.&#x0D; On the other hand, some studies in other areas show that intention and propensity to purchase can be affected by many factors, such as social and hedonic motivations. Could also these motivations influence intention to purchase books?&#x0D; This study aims to study the influence of hedonic and social motivations to participate in literary communities on social media engagement and book purchase intention. A quantitative methodology was used, with a sample of N= 272 female participants in literary communities on social media. The data was analyzed through the modeling of structural equations by the AMOS software. Results show that social motivations are positively related to the level of engagement in literary communities on social media. Additionally, this study revealed that hedonic motivations influence book purchase intention.

Languages and technologies in education at school and outside of school: Perspectives from young people in low-resource countries in Africa and Asia

Disadvantaged young people in low-resource countries are less likely to complete their education or to progress to higher levels, which means that their upward mobility can be severely constrained. Versatile technologies such as smartphones, when combined with an ability to use the English language, can facilitate access to learning resources, thereby helping to support young people's education where the school facilities and local teaching resources are often insufficient and may reinforce existing inequalities. However, technology access and usage vary, and linguistic or other barriers to effective engagement are multifaceted. To gain a deeper understanding of the role of languages and technologies, our research project collected first-hand accounts of the educational experiences of marginalized young people aged 13–15, their parents and teachers in harder-to-reach urban and rural settings, in four low-income countries in Africa and Asia. The research investigated perspectives on the English language and use of technology in education in school and outside of school. Our findings provide original insights into local cultures of technology use and English language use in the context of young people's lived experiences. The paper covers young people's use of English and attitudes toward English alongside other languages in their local settings, and how they are learning with mobile digital devices at school, at home, outdoors, and in the homes of relatives, friends and neighbors. Relationships between languages and technologies are discussed, as well as the sustainability of English- and technology-mediated education in the countries in question, which will have broader applicability in other low-resource settings.

Digital maturity: Development and validation of the Digital Maturity Inventory (DIMI)

Building on research of psychosocial maturity and self-determination theory, we introduced and investigated the concept of digital maturity as a novel view on young people's digital technology use. We conceptualized digital maturity as the self-determined use of digital technologies supporting psychological growth and well-being while shielding potential threats and considering needs of the social environment. To measure digital maturity, we developed the Digital Maturity Inventory (DIMI). In Study 1 (N = 390, age 12–18), we developed and selected items for the ten dimensions based on an exploratory factor analysis. In Study 2 (N = 558, age 12–18), we examined the scale's factor structure and internal consistency using confirmatory factor analysis, and tested the convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity. The results confirmed that digital maturity is linked to personality maturity (agreeableness, conscientiousness, negative emotionality), and a hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed the unique influence of digital maturity in predicting problematic mobile device use beyond individual differences in personality, age, and amount of mobile device use.

The importance of clinicians' and parents' awareness of suicidal behaviour in adolescents reaching the upper age limit of their mental health services in Europe

BackgroundTo study clinicians' and parents' awareness of suicidal behaviour in adolescents reaching the upper age limit of their Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and its association with mental health indicators, transition recommendations and mental health service (MHS) use. Methods763 CAMHS users from eight European countries were assessed using multi-informant and standardised assessment tools at baseline and nine months follow-up. Separate ANCOVA's and pairwise comparisons were conducted to assess whether clinicians' and parents' awareness of young people's suicidal behaviour were associated with mental health indicators, clinician's recommendations to continue treatment and MHS use at nine months follow-up. Results53.5 % of clinicians and 56.9 % of parents were unaware of young people's self-reported suicidal behaviour at baseline. Compared to those whose clinicians/parents were aware, unawareness was associated with a 72–80 % lower proportion of being recommended to continue treatment. Self-reported mental health problems at baseline were comparable for young people whose clinicians and parents were aware and unaware of suicidal behaviour. Clinicians' and parents' unawareness were not associated with MHS use at follow-up. LimitationsAspects of suicidal behaviour, such as suicide ideation, -plans and -attempts, could not be distinguished. Few young people transitioned to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS), therefore power to study factors associated with AMHS use was limited. ConclusionClinicians and parents are often unaware of suicidal behaviour, which decreases the likelihood of a recommendation to continue treatment, but does not seem to affect young people's MHS use or their mental health problems.