Youth Health Promotion Research Articles

The community nurse’s role on the promotion of papillomavirus vaccination among young students: A study protocol

ABSTRACT Vaccination is the principal strategy for primary prevention of infection by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes different pathological conditions, up to cancer, in both males and females. However, to date, knowledge among adolescents and their parents about the HPV vaccine is still low. The aim of this quasi-experimental, multicenter study is to assess the effectiveness of a digital educational intervention, conducted by a multidisciplinary health-care team including a Community Nurse, to increase adolescents’ HPV vaccination uptake, their knowledge, self-efficacy, feelings and involvement in HPV vaccine decision-making, and parents’ vaccination hesitancy. The study will be carried out among a population of students (and their parents), aged between 11 and 13, at secondary schools in Italy. Validated questionnaires will be administered to both students and parents at baseline (T0) and 3 months after a digital educational intervention (T1). The findings may be useful in evaluating and deepening a methodology for designing and implementing educational interventions, embedded in the school setting, that could promote the achievement of outcomes within the broader process of youth’s health promotion.

A Virtual COVID-19 Youth Ambassador Program: The UI Health CHAMPIONS Experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate socioeconomic and educational hardships rooted in systemic inequities for youth across the United States. (Virtual) youth resilience and health promotion efforts are viable mechanisms to address these hardships in the context of a double pandemic: COVID-19 and structural racism. Health professions training programs hold a unique opportunity to incorporate COVID-19 health education to train and empower youth to become community health ambassadors. Grounded on a Grow-Your-Own (GYO) approach, UI Health CHAMPIONS spearheaded the development of the COVID-19 Youth Ambassador Program (COVID-19 YAP), a virtual multistage and multipartner effort. Its mission is to equip youth with knowledge, perspective, and tools to have empathetic, informative conversations within their networks about COVID-19. Via e-learning, modules cover viruses and the immune system; vaccine development; health disparities/equity; and health advocacy. Participants are introduced to Human-Centered Design Thinking to guide the development of advocacy projects. COVID-19 YAP's uniqueness lies in the team of program coordinators consisting of (pre-)health professional student workers with a desire to engage in health equity efforts and community health ambassadorship. Freirean principles are applied across program design and delivery; Dialogical Education encourages the educator to become the student and the student to become an educator. This co-learning process empowers students and educators to become agents of social change. COVID-19 YAP can serve as a collaborative effort addressing a public health priority, contributing toward digital health equity, and creating community resilience while encouraging youth to pursue a health profession and become community health advocates.

Using Youth Health Behavior Survey Materials COVID-19 Pandemic Period Health Due to Economic Levels

Objectives: During COVID-19, we studied the direct and indirect effects of household economic levels on health status through the mediation of changes in economic levels. Methods: In comparison between the changed and not changed group of health status, the continuous data compared with independent t-test and the categorical type tested chi-square test. Whether economic levels changed due to COVID-19 as an influencing factor of youth health Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the direct effect of COVID-19 and the indirect effect through the downgrading of the economic level caused by COVID-19. Results: The direct effect of changes in household economic status due to COVID-19 on health status was β = -0.13, which had a significantly negative effect (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and the indirect effect through household economic status was also β = –0.05. There was a significant adverse effect (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusions: It was found that when the economic condition worsens, it has an adverse effect on the economic levels of the family and the health status of the youth. In cases where economic conditions deteriorate due to crises such as pandemics, more attention should be paid to youth health promotion.

Mental health promotion in youth sporting clubs: predictors of stakeholder participation

BackgroundYoung people are disproportionately affected by poor mental health. Youth sport settings hold immense potential to improve the mental health outcomes of this demographic. Efforts to leverage youth sport settings to promote mental health are limited by the lack of knowledge pertaining to engagement with mental health interventions in these settings. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the willingness of youth sporting club stakeholders (e.g., sportspersons, coaches, support staff, parents/guardians) to engage in mental health initiatives conducted by sporting clubs and ascertain possible determinants of engagement.MethodsThis study used an observational cross-sectional design. Participants completed an online survey assessing likelihood of supporting a mental health campaign, mental health literacy (help-seeking, inclusive attitudes), and perceived club support. Perceptions pertaining to the importance of youth mental health and sporting clubs supporting youth mental health were also assessed.ResultsThe survey was completed by 275 stakeholders of youth sporting clubs in Australia (Mage = 40.2 ± 15.8 years, 60.3% female). The findings indicated that stakeholders were willing to participate in mental health initiatives in youth sport clubs. A linear regression analysis indicated that the significant predictors of stakeholders supporting such initiatives were older age (> 25–50 and > 50 years; β = 0.15, p = .033, β = 0.19, p = .005, respectively), along with perceived importance of youth mental health (β = 0.24, p = .003) and sporting clubs supporting youth mental health (β = 0.22, p = .004).ConclusionYouth sport settings have the capacity to improve the provision of mental health support among young people. There is a need for tailored approaches to enhance the engagement with, and effectiveness of, mental health resources in sport contexts.

Developing Public Health Promotion Strategies for Social Networking Sites: Perspectives of Young Immigrant Women in Norway.

Social networking sites (SNS) have emerged as digital settings for youth participation and health promotion. Understanding the complex dynamic of analog/digital participation has become crucial for settings-based health promotion strategies that aim to enable people to increase control over their health and environments. Previous research demonstrates that SNS influence young people's health in complex ways, but less is known about how processes related to intersectionality are reflected in digital settings. This study asked the following question: how do young women with immigrant backgrounds experience and navigate SNS and how can this inform settings-based health promotion strategies? The study included three focus groups with 15 women aged 16-26 years and used thematic content analysis. Young women with immigrant backgrounds reported that transnational networks provided a sense of belonging. However, their presence on SNS strengthened negative social control and had consequences for endeavors to connect with local peers in both digital and analog settings. Both challenges and resources were amplified. The participants reported that sharing strategies to navigate complex networks was useful; they emphasized the importance of anonymous chats, they shared health-related information with extended networks with lower e-literacy, and they saw opportunities for the cocreation of health promotion strategies.

Co-developing a health promotion programme for indigenous youths in Brazil: A concept mapping report.

Latin America and the Caribbean Region are home to about 42 million Indigenous people, with about 900,000 living in Brazil. The little routinely collected population-level data from Indigenous communities in the region available shows stark inequities in health and well-being. There are 305 Indigenous ethnic groups, speaking 274 languages, spread across the remote national territory, who have endured long-lasting inequities related to poverty, poor health, and limited access to health care. Malnutrition and mental health are key concerns for young people. Building on our Indigenous communities-academic partnerships over the last two decades, we collaborated with young people from the Terena Indigenous ethnic group, village leaders, teachers, parents, and local health practitioners from the Polo Base (community health centres) to obtain their perspectives on important and feasible actions for a youth health promotion programme. The report was conducted in the Tereré Village in Mato Grosso do Sul. Concept mapping, a participatory mixed method approach, was conducted in 7 workshops, 15 adults and 40 youths aged 9-17 years. Art-based concept mapping was used with 9 to 11 years old children (N = 20). Concept systems software was used to create concept maps, which were finalised during the workshops. Focused prompts related to factors that may influence the health and happiness of youths. The participatory method gave Terena youths a significant voice in shaping an agenda that can improve their health. Terena youths identified priority actions that clustered under 'Family', 'School', 'Education', 'Socio-economic circumstances', 'Respect' and 'Sport' in response to protecting happiness; and 'Nutrition pattern', 'Physical activity', 'Local environment', and 'Well-being' in response to having a healthy body. Through the participatory lens of concept mapping, youths articulated the interconnectedness of priority actions across these clusters such that behaviours (e.g. Nutrition pattern, drinking water, physical activity) and aspirations (being able to read, to have a good job) were recognised to be dependent on a wider ecology of factors (e.g. loss of eco-systems, parent-child relationships, student- teacher relationships, parental unemployment). In response to developing youth health, Terena adults suggested priority actions that clustered under 'Relationships', 'Health issues', 'Prevention at Polo Base', 'Access to health care', 'Communication with young people', 'Community life', 'Raising awareness' and 'School support'. Their priorities reflected the need for structural transformative actions (e.g. Polo Base and school staff working together) and for embedding actions to protect Indigenous culture (e.g. integrating their cultural knowledge into training programmes). Concept maps of Indigenous youths emphasised the need for a health promotion programme that engages with the structural and social determinants of health to protect their happiness and health, whilst those of adults emphasised the need to address specific health issues through preventative care via a school-Polo Base collaboration. Investment in a co-developed school-Polo-Base health promotion programme, with intersectoral engagement, has potential for making Indigenous health systems responsive to the inequalities of youth health, to yield dividends for healthy ageing trajectories as well as for the health of the next generation.

Health and Lifestyle Issues among Youth: A Record Analysis of Contributing Factors among Beneficiaries Attending Youth Mental Health Promotion Clinics (Yuva Spandana Kendras) in Karnataka, India.

Youth are consideren to be most vulnerable to health and lifestyle issues (HLS) in India. The current study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to health and lifestyle issues among youth attending mental health promotion clinics (YMHP) in Karnataka. Three-year first-visit data from beneficiaries (aged 15-35 years) attending YMHP clinics in Karnataka between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis included beneficiaries reporting any HLS issue as the outcome and a host of 57 hypothesized variables as exposures. Overall, 2,615 (25%) beneficiaries reported HLS issues. Years of schooling (AOR 5-7 years = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.60-1.31), (AOR 8-10 years = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.46-0.91), (AOR >10 years = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.49-0.93)], unemployed youth (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.45-0.61) business and salaried workers (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.33-2.13), and other occupations (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.73-2.56), junk food consumption (AOR = 0.76;95% CI = 0.68-0.84), having issues related to relationships with parents (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI = 2.47-3.68) and intergenerational issues (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.19-2.45), self-development issues (AOR low-self-awareness = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.33-1.85), (AOR low-self-esteem = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.062-1.57), (AOR emotional issues = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.31-1.89), education and academics (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.09-1.39), safety issues (AOR = 4.11; 95% CI = 3.07-5.50), gender sex and sexuality issues (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.43-4.15), suicidal ideation (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.44-2.54), substance use (AOR tobacco chewing = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.09-1.93), (AOR tobacco-smoking = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.18-2.32), (AOR smoking = 4.94; 95% CI = 3.52-6.93) and experiencing emotions (AOR feel anxious = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.41-1.88), (AOR forgetfulness = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.41-1.98), (AOR difficulty in concentration = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.035-1.81), (AOR anger = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.25-2.07), (AOR feel worthless = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.71-2.86) were associated with HLS issues among beneficiaries. This analysis addresses an important but neglected component of HLS issues among youth highlighting the importance of early intervention among youth to prevent the development of diseases later in life. The study has important implications for youth health promotion in India and countries such as India. A record analysis of contributing factors among beneficiaries attending Youth Mental Health promotion clinics (Yuva Spandana Kendras) in Karnataka, India.

The Effects of a Physical Activity Online Intervention Program on Resilience, Perceived Social Support, Psychological Distress and Concerns among At-Risk Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 restrictions have led to social isolation affecting youth's health, particularly at-risk youth. We examined whether an online mentoring health intervention (OMHI) would strengthen characteristics that can prevent risky behaviors: resilience, perceived social support, psychological distress, and crisis concerns. Fifty-six secondary-school students participated, 27 in the intervention group and 29 in the control group (mean age 16.18, SD 0.83 vs. 16.62, SD 0.82, respectively). The study took place between March and August 2020. The intervention group was less resilient pre-test, with similar resilience levels as the control group post-test. Intervention group participants presented a significantly higher crisis level pre- and post-test than the control group, as well as an increase in resilience (effect size = 1.88) and social support (effect size = 1.22), while psychological distress significantly decreased (effect size = -1.03). Both groups (intervention vs. control) predicted changes from pre-to-post test for resilience and crisis (adjusted R2 = 0.33, p = 0.001 and R2 = 0.49, p = 0.0001 respectively). OMHI participation was associated with improved resilience and social support, and decreased psychological distress, making it an effective strategy in health promotion for at-risk youth. An online intervention program combining mentoring in physical activity and interpersonal connections may constitute an effective health promotion strategy for at-risk youth, especially in times of crisis.

7.N. Workshop: Mental health promotion is key to making a change for children and adolescents

Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the already high burden in children and adolescents and has caused an increasing mental health burden in this age group. While provision of treatment is highly relevant, this alone is unlikely to make a significant difference in reducing the burden of poor mental health and mental illness. It is elemental to promote and strengthen mental health, also knowing this will not be the last crisis to tackle. Alongside of low threshold support and prevention, health promotion can strengthen individuals’ resilience or coping mechanisms. Next to individual and target group interventions, health promotion interventions also follow a setting approach, according to which people are understood as part of the social systems in which they live and spend their time. This workshop is about mental health promotion in youth. We wish to point to the importance of health promotion in the overall aim to improve mental health. The first presentation will provide an overview of mental health promotion concepts and mechanisms, providing evidence-based arguments and examples. The second presentation focusses on the ABC-framework to develop and implement MHP initiatives developed by the WHO. The last two presentations address the setting-approach, school and family and their potential in mental health promotion. In the concluding discussion with workshop participants, we will address questions, experiences, and best practices in mental health. The aim of this workshop is three-fold: 1. Provide the back-drop and a theoretical & practical basis on mental health promotion. 2. Present both individual and setting-specific examples of mental health promotion. 3. Provide room for discussion on experience and best practice in mental health promotion in youth. Key messages • Mental health promotion is an important element in reducing mental health burden in children and adolescents. • Health promotion can effectively be implemented on an individual and structural level.

Youth health promotion in countries affected by forced migration: The role of mHealth technologies

Abstract Issue/problem Young refugees often face barriers in accessing youth-friendly health information and care. Differing cultural norms, languages, laws, financial difficulties, gender disparities, and stigma pose additional challenges for youth in forced migration settings. Description of the practice REACH is a regional initiative of Columbia University, which aims to bridge the gap in health literacy and health care access among refugee and disadvantaged youth in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, which are heavily affected by the Syrian conflict. Supported by TaiwanICDF, Blue Chip Foundation, and Columbia University, the REACH Project uses a community-based participatory action research approach and aims to assess the impact of mHealth technologies on improving health literacy and health care access among youth in host countries. With a strong adult-youth partnership, the project includes stakeholder meetings, mixed-methods studies with youth, health service providers and policy makers, in addition to health advocacy, communication and dissemination activities such as photo exhibitions, panels, and production of policy briefs and scientific publications. REACH has been working with youth, software developers, health professionals, academia, and I/NGOs to develop the multilingual and freely available REACH4Health app to promote youth health. Results Findings from three countries show that mHealth technologies have the potential to provide innovative, youth-friendly and widely used solutions to address the health education, health communication, and health care needs of disadvantaged and marginalized youth. Lessons Youth-adult partnerships, working with mixed groups of refugee and local youth, using community-based participatory research, peer-to-peer methodologies, and co-design approaches, as well as using social media tools contribute to the overall success of mHealth and health promotion interventions for disadvantaged youth in countries affected by forced migration. Key messages • mHealth technologies have a strong potential to improve health literacy and health care access of refugee and disadvantaged youth in countries affected by forced migration. • Youth-adult partnerships, working with mixed groups of refugee and local youth, using participatory approaches and peer-to-peer methodologies significantly contribute to youth health interventions.

P03-15 Activating the ‘peerness' of youth peer leaders in a community sport programme: supporting the development of techne and phronesis in peer leader training

BackgroundSince youth's participation rates in sport drop throughout adolescence, approaches to engage and retain this age group in physical activities are needed. Peers are highly influential on youth's behaviour, and peer education is widely used for youth health promotion purposes to harness this peer influence. Peer education builds on the rationale that youth who share characteristics that identify them as peers will have increased credibility, identification, and role modelling in their interactions. However, it is often unclear how the rationales of peer education are activated in peer-led programmes. We therefore asked: How can peer leaders be supported in activating their? peerness' in health promotion programmes?MethodsThe study was conducted in a non-profit organisation, GAME, where youth (age 16-25) are trained to lead street sport activities for younger children (age 8-15) in low resource neighbourhoods. The youth leaders were often locals and thus shared a peer relation with the participating children based on age and growing up in the same community. The empirical material consisted of learning objectives for GAME's peer leader training programme and field notes from observations (approximately 54 hours) of the peer leader training. To explore educational content that can support the rationales of peer education, the qualitative analysis drew on contemporary interpretations of two forms of knowledge;techne (practical knowledge) and phronesis (practical wisdom), originally proposed by Aristotle.ResultsTechne was supported in training activities that prepared peer leaders for making decisions related to the implementation of street sport activities while taking contextual factors (e.g. the weather or the participants' experience) into consideration. Phronesis was supported in training activities that encouraged peer leaders to reflect on their position and leadership approach and to support positive social relations among the participants. Training that supported phronesis encouraged experience-based critical reflection and decision-making rather than providing a recipe of how to act.ConclusionSupporting phronesis in peer leader training will encourage peer leaders to use their peerness actively. To meet the rationales of peer education, peer leaders' practical wisdom should be acknowledged as a key component in peer leadership and this should be reflected in peer leader training.

Youth Perspectives on Barriers and Opportunities for the Development of a Peer Support Model to Promote Mental Health and Prevent Suicide.

Suicide prevention is a public health priority. The purpose of this study was to elicit and document the perspectives of youth (ages 15-24) on the development of a peer support model for mental health promotion and suicide prevention for youth in small communities in western Canada. A qualitative descriptive approach informed by a socioecological framework was used to conduct the study. Eleven youth participated in a series of three co-design workshops. Data collection was conducted remotely using Zoom. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The following three themes are identified: (a) contextual factors for youth; (b) community spaces and social media; and (c) apps and integrated care. These themes elucidated challenges faced by the youth, strategies for reducing barriers for youth who need support, and opportunities for enhancing youth mental health through responsive community-identified services. Overall, youth were supportive of the potential use of peer support to augment services in their communities.

Health-Related Lifestyle Among College-Going Youth in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

IntroductionYouth is a period where a number of healthy and unhealthy habits get acquired that last throughout a person's life. Youth health promotion has become a key study focus around the world. Thus this study is undertaken to understand health-related lifestyles affecting college-going youth.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was done in the junior colleges in Bhubaneswar, India, which included college-going youth. The sample size was 636. The sampling technique was a two-stage stratified sampling method. Firstly, one college was selected from each of five administrative regions (east, west, north, south, and central zone) in Bhubaneswar randomly by lottery method to provide a representative sample. From each college, 128 students were selected randomly from the list of students.ResultsIn this study, 237 (37.3%) of the participants ate green leafy vegetables on a daily basis, with 39.3% of females and just 31.2% of males. This difference in preference of green leafy vegetables among males and females was found to be statistically significant with a p-value of 0.019. Out of 180 (28.3%) of the participants who consumed milk products daily, 25% were females, while 38.1% were males (p-value of 0.004). In the present study, out of 247 (38.8%) participants who preferred eating fast food, 37.6% were females, while 42.5% were males. Out of 213 (33.5%) of them who preferred sweets (candy/chocolate), 37.2% were females, while only 22.5% were males. This difference in gender in regards to junk food preference was found to be statistically significant with a p-value of 0.001. In the current study, out of 243 (42%) of the participants who spent 30 minutes to one hour on exercise per day, 43.4% were females, while 37.4% were males. Out of 133 (23%) of them who spent one to two hours on exercise per day, 23.6% were females, while only 20.9% were males (p-value of 0.003). Out of 208 (35.9%) of the participants who preferred walking as the main mode of exercise, 40.2% were females, while 22.3% were males (p-value <0.0001).ConclusionThe main findings of this study demonstrated that the majority of the youth followed proper meal routines and engaged in regular physical exercise. However, when compared to junk food consumption, participants consumed far fewer green leafy vegetables. This would prove to be harmful to their health. Since the youth of today are the future of tomorrow, they should be provided with proper health education regarding the harmful effects of regular intake of junk food.

Relationship between sense of coherence and health-related behaviours in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review

BackgroundThe sense of coherence is developed through the learning process and contributes to the positioning of individuals in the health-disease continuum, facilitating successful and adaptive personal outcomes. Health-related behaviours represent a health determinant of utmost importance for public health and the development of adolescent and youth health promotion policies, as they are related to the main risk factors and problems of morbidity and mortality in our society. Previous studies have analysed the relationship between sense of coherence and only some individual health outcomes such as oral health, the relationship of sense of coherence with smoking and alcohol consumption, concluding that salutogenic factors are related to quality of life and preventive behaviours. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the relationship of sense of coherence with different health-related behaviours investigated so far in the adolescent and youth population.MethodsA systematic review was carried out in databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycInfo) and in the bibliographies of the retrieved articles, without limitation of time or language. Associations between sense of coherence and health-related behaviours have been assessed.ResultsA total of 1214 investigations were reviewed and 21 of them were included in this systematic review. The relationship between sense of coherence and eight health-related behaviours were identified (alcohol use, physical activity, tobacco use, eating habits, rest periods, use of illegal substances, behaviours related to oral health and time spent in games on the computer).ConclusionsOur results increase the available evidence and support the solid relationship of the sense of coherence with health behaviours both as a protective factor against risk behaviours and for its positive association with preventive and health promoting behaviours of adolescents, young adults and university students.

A Qualitative Study to Inform Adaptation of MyPEEPS Mobile for Transmasculine Youth

Transmasculine youth, ages 13-18 years, who reported attraction to or sex with cisgender men were recruited to participate in focus groups in four major cities in the United States. Overall, participants found MyPEEPS Mobile to be a useful educational platform for sexual health education. Participants discussed expansions of the MyPEEPS Mobile App to address interpersonal concerns and provision of a holistic approach to health promotion for transmasculine youth. Detailed suggestions for improvement included personalization; transmasculine inclusivity and relatability; expansion of population-specific educational components; and improvements to functionality, images, and graphics. While MyPEEPS Mobile has educational components, adaptations are needed to address specific needs of TMY and optimize user-centered design for feasibility and efficacy. If tailored to the lives of transmasculine youth, MyPEEPS has the potential to promote HIV preventive behavior.

Multimedia Quality About Risk Dating As A Youth Health Promotion Media

Background: feeling of liking or being attracted to the opposite sex is often expressed by the term dating. The impact of dating leads to deviant activities such as risky dating. It is important for teenagers to know about risky dating through health promotion activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of multimedia about risky courtship as a medium for adolescent health promotion. Methods: This type of research uses experimental research using an approach R &amp; D. This research method is the assessment of material experts, media experts and small group sample trials with a total of 15 respondents. The research instrument was an open questionnaire which was filled out by the respondents. The analysis used in this study used univariate analysis. Results: Multimedia about risky dating as a health promotion media is said to be feasible by material experts with an average score of 54.33; said to be feasible by media experts with an average score of 50.33 and said to be feasible by users with an average score of 31.13. Conclusion: Multimedia about risky courtship is said to be suitable for use as a media for adolescent health promotion.

Living lab AI4U - artificial intelligence for personalized digital mental health promotion and prevention in youth

Abstract Background Youth are particularly affected by mental health problems, but their use of preventive interventions remains limited. The advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) enable the development of digital interventions for mental health promotion and prevention. This applies to ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which offer adaptive training components in daily life. Methods In a preparatory phase, focus groups (N = 2, aged: 15-21 years) and a representative survey (N = 666, aged: 16-24) with young individuals as well as qualitative interviews with stakeholders in routine public mental health provision were conducted. Results None of the stakeholders used digital interventions in their everyday work but were interested in their use. The importance of data protection and security, usability, and participation of the target population in all stages of the research process was emphasized. The risk of a digital divide, acceptance of used terminology, and difficulties of structural embedding were mentioned as important barriers for successful implementation. Young individuals had a positive attitude toward digitization and AI and their use in mental health promotion and prevention and underlined the importance of practical benefits for users. They had a pragmatic attitude toward data use policies. Around 70% of young individuals were already using mHealth apps. Psychological distress was associated with the use of, and positive attitude towards, mHealth apps. Discussion Findings have contributed to the ongoing main phase. The living lab AI4U will be carried out in transdisciplinary projects involving direct participation of relevant stakeholders, users from the target population and an interdisciplinary research group. Each of these projects includes one or more real-world experiments. These will be embedded in a transdisciplinary infrastructure, which will ensure ongoing quality assurance, sustainability assessment, public relations and networking.

Depression, Anxiety, and Interest in Mental Health Resources in School-Based Gender-Sexuality Alliances: Implications for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Health Promotion.

Schools can be a setting to address mental health needs of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth. Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), as extracurricular support groups, provide an existing structure that could be leveraged to reach SGM youth and deliver services. Nevertheless, limited data indicate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among GSA members, how often GSAs discuss mental health, or their receptivity to resources. Participants in the current study were 580 youth (Mage = 15.59; 79% sexual minority, 57% cisgender female; 68% White) and 58 advisors in 38 GSAs purposively sampled across Massachusetts. Youth completed established measures of depression and anxiety; advisors reported how frequently their GSAs discussed mental health; and both reported their interest in mental health materials. Among youth, 70.1% scored above the threshold indicating probable mild depression, and 34.4% scored above the threshold suggesting concerning anxiety. Adjusted odds ratios indicated that the odds of depression and anxiety were higher for SGM members relative to heterosexual and cisgender members, particularly among youth reporting SGM identities that have been underrepresented. GSAs discussed mental health with some frequency over the school year. Youth and advisors expressed strong interest in resources. Findings support the case for developing selective and indicated school-based prevention programming for youth in GSAs to address their mental health needs.

“Do something with them!”: developing “comfortable” engagement with Elders participating in an arts-based sexual health promotion and STBBI prevention workshop for Indigenous Youth in Labrador, Canada

ABSTRACT Although Indigenous Elders were traditionally involved in cross-generational health promotion and education, colonisation disrupted this role. Little research examines the role of Elders in contemporary health promotion for Indigenous youth and few strategies have been identified to engage Elders in health promotion or sexual health education. We explored engagement of Elders through participatory filmmaking in a sexual health and HIV education workshop for youth. Eleven youth and five Elders participated in this 3.5-day workshop. During the workshop, Elders indicated they wanted to make a film and attend a sexual health and HIV education session. Four Elders were interviewed about their experiences. Interview transcripts and the Elders’ film were analysed using content analysis. Although Elders initially felt hesitant to engage, the process of participatory filmmaking allowed Elders to co-create an environment for their “comfortable” workshop engagement. Elders’ feelings of comfort were created by having control and sense of ownership over their engagement; the presence of youth; peer-based dialogue; inclusion of traditional items; and an Indigenous sexual health educator. Findings suggest participatory filmmaking is a promising approach for engaging and empowering Elders to reclaim traditional roles in sexual health education and health promotion with Indigenous youth.

New Interview Method for Sketching the Dynamic Relational and Sexual History of Young Adults

IntroductionScientific literature and clinical practice still pay insufficient attention to the interconnectedness between love and sex. Especially youth would benefit in their sexual development from more attention (e.g., in parenting, education, sexual health services) for the complex relational context of sexual decisions and interactions.MethodsTo gain more insight into young people’s dynamically intertwined early experiences with romantic relationships and sexuality, a new semi-structured interview method was developed as part of a larger study on the interrelatedness of love and sex (“Lovely sex or sexy love?”). The newly developed Relational and Sexual History (RSH) interview consists of five steps and is visually supported by a relationship matrix to sketch how developments in relational and sexual aspects of early intimate relationships (from adolescence to young adulthood) are interrelated, and how youth learn cumulatively (across their relationships) about what they do and do not want in their intimate partnerships.ResultsThe RSH interview method was piloted in 2018 in a small-scale qualitative study with N = 16 young adults (9 women, 7 men; 18‒25 years). This pilot study showed the method is suitable to assess the chronologic, dynamic, and intertwined relational and sexual histories of youth in a semi-structured manner.Conclusions and Policy ImplicationsThe RSH interview method may advance scientific research on the linkages between love and sex and can be a valuable tool for clinical practice in sexology and relationship therapy (and increase cross-pollination between these clinical fields). The type of knowledge yielded by these interviews may profoundly impact policies for relational and sexual health promotion for youth.