Youth Need Research Articles

Protecting our environment: The need for South African youth with a mission and black consciousness

Christianity has contributed to environmental degradation. In terms of their role, the church youth are ipso facto part of such a contribution. However, an eco-theological diagnostic analysis cannot interpret the role of youth, especially black youth, through the same lenses. From a Black theological perspective, black youth’s role should be interpreted and discussed in terms of what Fanon and Biko describe as ‘self-hatred’ and the need for black consciousness. It is such self-hatred that gives rise to environmental degradation that is not articulated within various eco-theologians’ strategies towards care for the environment in a neo-colonial context in South Africa. The article argues that such a deficiency in eco-theological literature needs some attention to address the future black youth’s contribution to a friendlier environment. The author therefore suggests a ‘missional consciousness’ for one of the strategies for black youth in the quest for the black youth’s participation in environmental care.Contribution: This article contributes to the broader discourses on ecotheology. It affirms the contributions on human beings’ role towards the environment, but further highlights the inequality among human beings in neo-colonial context and how ecotheology should approach the ecological crisis with consideration to such a context. Therefore, the contribution brings into dialogue the post-colonial discourse, specifically the discourse of black consciousness, in relation to a missional consciousness in resolving the ecological crisis through the participation of church youth. Ecotheology has not specifically considered the notions of ‘missional consciousness’ and ‘black consciousness’ in its discourse on protection of the environment. The author relates this discussion specifically to church youth.

Experiences, Preferences, and Needs of Adolescents and Urban Youth in Contraceptive Use in Conakry, 2019, Guinea.

Introduction: The use of contraceptive methods is very low in Guinea, particularly among adolescents and young people. The purpose of this study is to analyze the experiences and expectations of adolescents and young people regarding the use of contraceptive methods in 2019 in Conakry, Guinea.Methods: We conducted a 6-month qualitative and descriptive study. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with adolescents and young people, health providers and health policy makers. Two approaches of deductive and inductive analysis were used to synthesize the main insights from the data.Findings: Twenty-six participants were included in this study. Adolescents and young people have personal, family and community experiences that positively or negatively influence their contraceptive needs and preferences. Positive experiences include the relative cost of injectable forms, perceived absence of side effects of implants, proven efficacy and duration of action of the modern method used (implants and injectable form). Negative experiences included cost of implants remain high (15 Euros), perceived side effects including weight gain, pill compliance, method indiscretion, and low sensation of sexual pleasure for the condom. The preferences of the young participants were dominated by Implants and injectable forms that better meet their contraceptive needs. In terms of needs, the expectations expressed revolved around needs related to the health system, including sex education, reduction in the cost of some contraceptives (implants), availability of contraceptive methods, and equity in the provision of family planning services to adolescents and young people.Conclusion: Exploring the contraceptive experiences, needs and preferences of adolescents and young people reveals decision-making dilemmas. Adolescents and young people expressed their experiences in terms of the cost of preferred contraceptives (implants), side effects, proven efficacy, and duration of action. However, their decisions are still influenced by availability, equity in service delivery, and the involvement of parents and religious leaders in sex education. Decision-makers should then place particular emphasis on improving health service delivery, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, availability of preferred contraceptive methods at affordable cost, and a program on sexuality education with the involvement of parents and religious leaders and the promotion of condom use.

Is It Possible to Tackle Youth Needs with Agricultural and Rural Development Policies?

Rural youth are influenced by a wide range of uncertainties regarding their personal and professional development. Rural youth and in particular rural NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) are especially vulnerable and face higher risks of labour market, social and economic exclusion. This paper aims to analyse the determinants of the dynamics of rural NEETs in three post-transitional countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia) compared to the EU-28 average and to Ireland as an example of an established EU member state with over 50% of its population living in rural areas that can act as a benchmark for effective policy implementation to address challenges of marginalized youth, during the 2009–2019 period. The dynamics of rural NEET status and the efficiency/adaptability of regional development policies are revealed through analysis of macro and socioeconomic factors as well as specific employment-related indicators disaggregated by gender and degree of urbanisation. The comparative analysis indicates deficiencies in regional development policies among post-transitional countries and the potential to adapt modern European practices and policies for improving the rural NEETs’ position.

COVID-19: the psychological impact and coping strategies among youth during lockdown in India: the role of education

Background: COVID-19 is a biological disaster and its impact on the psychological wellbeing among individuals in the society. It affected all age group in the society and the youth are more vulnerable in the pandemic. The aim of the study was to understand the stress, anxiety, depression level and coping strategies among youth during the early stage of lockdown period in India.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study and 302 youth across India were respond ended through snowball sampling method. An online survey through google form and the tools were socio-demographic details, DASS-21 and coping strategies questionnaire. The self-reported English version online questionnaire were analysed through SPSS.Results: The study found that 36.8% of youth had stress, 32% of them had anxiety whereas 48.7% had depressive symptoms and 30.4% send their time in social networking sites during the early stage of lockdown in India. There were significant comparison between depression and recreational activities (x2=6.92; p=0.03) and highly significant comparison between depression and spending times in hobbies (x2=8.32; p=0.01).Conclusions: The youth need psychosocial care and support during this pandemic and the youth need to take up physical-mental-spiritual self-care activities.

The Refugee and Immigrant Core Stressors Toolkit (RICST): Understanding the Multifaceted Needs of Refugee and Immigrant Youth and Families Through a Four Core Stressors Framework.

Research indicates that refugee and immigrant youth commonly face four core stressors during resettlement in a new country and culture: trauma, acculturative stress, resettlement stress, and isolation. This Four Core Stressors framework can be used to educate providers about these populations’ unique needs and support assessment of relevant socioecological factors influencing health. To facilitate education, training, and dissemination of this framework and complement existing provider resources, we developed the Refugee & Immigrant Core Stressors Toolkit (RICST), a free, web-based toolkit that provides an overview of the Four Core Stressors framework, assessment questions across the four domains, scaffolding to identify needs and points of triage, and recommended interventions. Public hosting of the RICST via REDCap began in March 2018. In addition to the toolkit, users are prompted to provide location of service delivery, intended purpose of use, and interface feedback. Between March 2018 and October 2020, the RICST was used over 2300 times across 6 continents. Most providers used the toolkit to learn more about the needs of refugee and immigrant youth in general, and several noted that it is a valuable educational tool for staff unfamiliar with these populations. Open-ended qualitative feedback indicated high usability. Amidst historically high levels of forced displacement, tools to support provider effectiveness in working with these populations are increasingly needed. The RICST shows promise as an educational, assessment, and treatment-planning tool for providers working with refugee and immigrant families globally. Future directions include location-specific resource mapping and culture-specific intervention strategies.

Training Needs of Rural Youth towards Agri-Enterprises

The study is an attempt to understand training needs in areas of agrienterprises. Investigation was carried out in three regions of Andhra Pradesh. Exploratory research design was used. The respondents (n=240) were the youth residing in the villages at the time of investigation. Simple random sampling technique was used for sample collection from twenty four villages. Pre-tested interview schedule was used for data collection. The inferential statistical tools like mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage were used for analysis of data. An attempt was made to assess the areas of training needs to be focused mainly for agripreneurs to run their agri-enterprises smoothly. Manufacturing techniques (2.69) ranked first among the list of areas training needs for agripreneurs.

Increased Prevalence, Predictors, and In-Group Differences of Forced Sex and Physical Dating Violence among Trans/Gender Diverse Youth

Forced sex and dating violence are too common among young people and rates are higher for young transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. However, the TGD youth population has differential experiences across gender, race, age, sexual orientation, and other identity factors. This study, using data from the 2015 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, explores these differential within-group experiences of forced sex and dating violence. Findings indicate that sexual minorities who are also TGD are 2.45–3.73 times more likely to experience forced sex and physical dating violence than their TGD heterosexual peers. Individuals who are transfeminine (4.49 times), transmasculine (2.52 times), and nonbinary (3.86 times) are more likely to experience forced sex, as well as physical dating violence (transfeminine (4.01 times), transmasculine (2.91 times), and nonbinary (4.77 times)), as compared to those individuals questioning their gender. Black individuals (3.93 times) and Multiracial individuals (2.39 times) are more likely to experience dating violence than their White counterparts. Age was related to increased experience of forced sex, with individuals being 1.34 times more likely to have experienced this per year increase of age. These findings indicate the need for more trans-inclusive youth programing around sexual violence and dating violence, as well as taking a more intersectional and personalized approach to prevention work.

The educational journey of former foster youth: A dream deferred

Summary This qualitative study explored the educational needs and experiences of 27 adults who were between the ages of 30 and 50 but emancipated from foster care as youth. This study employed an interpretive phenomenological approach to understanding the narratives of the participants to gain deeper insight into the supports and barriers in obtaining a post-secondary education. Findings Key findings from this study are that the majority of emancipated youth desire to obtain a post-secondary education but developmental difficulties such as an incomplete transition into emerging adulthood, lack of knowledge about post-secondary education, and lack of financial resources prevent matriculation into higher education. However, later in life, many emancipated youths are able to return to a post-secondary institution and graduate with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The primary supportive factor is a positive relationship and additional developmental maturity afforded by time. Applications Implications of these findings are that those serving emancipating youth need to employ a developmental biopsychosocial perspective in assisting these youth. Both ensuring their healthy development and maturation but also helping to remove logistical barriers to ensure the ability of these youth to obtain a post-secondary education.

Protective Factors to Promote Health and Flourishing in Black Youth Exposed to Parental Incarceration.

Mass incarceration of Black fathers and mothers in the United States has had an undeniably negative effect on the health and well-being of their children, families, and communities. Nearly 1 in every 9 Black youth in the United States has had an incarcerated parent compared to 1 in every 17 White youth. To mitigate the consequences of such historical and structural racism, family and community protective factors that promote health and flourishing in Black youth need exploration. The aim of this study was to understand the associations of protective family, school, and neighborhood factors of overall health and flourishing in Black youth ever exposed to parental incarceration. Using the 2016-2019 National Survey of Children's Health, secondary data analyses were conducted of Black youth ages 6-17 years exposed to parental incarceration (n = 839). Multivariable logistic regression models predicted the associations among protective family and community factors and two child outcomes of interest: overall good health status and flourishing. Overall good health status was measured dichotomously comparing children in "good, very good, or excellent" health to children in "fair or poor" health. Flourishing was measured as a count score using three survey questions designed to assess the child's curiosity and discovery about learning, resilience, and self-regulation. Protective factors of interest included family resilience and connectedness, neighborhood support and safety, and school safety. Other child and caregiver demographics and health characteristics were also included as covariates. Across all models, higher levels of family connectedness were associated with greater odds of having overall good health and flourishing in Black youth exposed to parental incarceration after adjusting for covariates and neighborhood and school protective characteristics. No significant associations were found between neighborhood or school protective factors and either outcome. To achieve health equity and maximize opportunities for all youth, we must remove the obstacles and consequences of mass incarceration. Improving the health and flourishing of Black youth who have had incarcerated parents requires greater investment in structural supports to bolster family connectedness and better evidence on how to support families affected by mass incarceration and structural racism.

The longitudinal effects of maltreatment class membership on post-traumatic stress & depression

BackgroundWhile the link between maltreatment and mental illness has been largely established, there is a need to better understand how certain types or profiles of maltreatment place youth at heightened risk for depression and traumatic stress, and when the risk of developing symptoms may be greatest. ObjectiveWe examined the extent to which youth experiences of maltreatment co-occur and how certain combinations of maltreatment work to influence the subsequent development of depression and post-traumatic stress over time. Participants & settingData were drawn from NSCAW-II, a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 5872 child welfare involved youth, aged 0–18. MethodsLatent Class Analysis was used to investigate profiles of child maltreatment. We then used a longitudinal three-wave panel design to examine whether membership in various maltreatment classes predicted development of depression and post-traumatic stress measured at two future time points. ResultsThree classes emerged: Class 1 (68 %) the “Neglect and Adverse Parental Behaviors Class”, Class 2 (20 %) the “Physical Abuse Class”, and Class 3 (12 %) the “Sexual Abuse Class”. Membership in Class 2 increased depression and trauma symptoms at Wave 2, compared to Class 1 (b = 1.8 and 1.4, respectively; p < 0.05).Membership in Class 3 increased trauma symptoms at Wave 3, compared to Class 1 and Class 2 (b = 2.3 and 2.7, respectively; p < 0.01). ImplicationsChild welfare involved youth need to be appropriately screened for psychiatric health annually and provided with services that correspond with their level of need.

Exploring youth voices in a pre-college program: Implications for policy, practice & research

BackgroundYouth transitioning from foster care to college face multiple obstacles. Pre-college programs can promote college access for underrepresented students. The research on pre-college programs that prepare foster youth for college is limited. There is a paucity of research that illuminates youth voices in pre-college programs. ObjectiveThis article reviews key program components of a pre-college summer program designed specifically for youth transitioning from foster care, the National Social Work Enrichment Program (NSEP). Findings from a qualitative research study of NSEP are presented. Implications for policy, practice, and research for pre-college programs are discussed. Participants and settingFourteen youth, who successfully completed NSEP and had enrolled in college following the program, participated in the study. MethodsParticipants completed semi-structured interviews via a video conferencing tool. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo 12. ResultsThematic analysis captured youth voices, highlighted in the themes: college aspirations, college preparation, and community building. Results suggest NSEP youth aspired to enroll in college. Results also suggests that the NSEP experience helped to prepare youth for college and facilitated the development of community among participants. ConclusionsInvestment in pre-college programs could provide the right support and resources that youth need to transition from foster care to college. Pre-college programs provide an opportunity for youth to develop college readiness skills, build relationship skills, and grow personally. Further research on the efficacy of pre-college programs is needed.

Gender Differences in Psychosocial Predictors of Sexual Activity and HIV Testing Among Youth in Kenya.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries a disproportionate burden of HIV in the world relative to its population. Youth are at particular risk. Understanding HIV risk factors, as well as factors affecting HIV testing among SSA youth, is important given that HIV testing, linkage to care, and viral suppression are part of the global strategy to end HIV. Because young women face disparate sexual and reproductive health outcomes, exploring gender differences related to HIV risk, and testing is vital. Using existing program evaluation data from a larger project, the purpose of this study was to explore gender differences related to sexual activity and HIV testing among youth in SSA. Participant data from 581 youth ages 13–24 in Kenya was analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance, and binomial logistic regression. Findings revealed that young men were more likely to report sexual activity than young women. Age was a predictor of sexual activity for all youth. However, among psychosocial variables, depression predicted sexual activity for young women while stress predicted sexual activity for young men. Although there were no gender differences in HIV testing after controlling for demographic and psychosocial variables, there were some differences between young women and young men with regard to predictors of HIV testing. Age and full-time self-employment predicted HIV testing among young women, while part-time self-employment, education, and substance abuse risk predicted HIV testing among young men. Findings suggest a need for gender and youth friendly strategies for addressing the HIV treatment cascade and care continuum.

A Critical Assessment of the Youth Needs and Progress Scale

ABSTRACT Evaluated is a recently developed tool, the Youth Needs and Progress Scale (YNPS). Reported is the surprisingly palpable lack of adherence to scientific standards. A demonstrable absence of attention and accordance to scientific methods related to research and developing psychometrics is evident, that is, taking a colander approach when constructing the tool. The rudimentary steps of this project were described by Kang et al. (2019) and subsequently critiqued by this author. Significant concerns previously delineated were not addressed, but rather crystalized in a substantial U.S. federally tax funded grant for a substandard tool. These are described in this article (i.e., lack of adequate literature review, citing selective research findings, referencing face validity tools, problematic research design). The key concern is the reliance on risk recidivism tools (J-SOAP-II and ERASOR), partially based on adult research and empirically shown to have inconsistently performed in risk assessment studies.

Model of Success: Extension Services Helping Ugandan Youth Find A Career in Agriculture

As the world continues to experience a population boom amidst growing food insecurity concerns, the need for well-trained and competent youth in agriculture-related industries is on the rise in Sub-Saharan African countries, specifically Uganda. With 78 percent of Uganda’s population below the age of thirty, the number of unemployed and unskilled workers presents a challenge to a country that relies heavily on jobs within the agricultural sector to thrive. Due to the increased number of unskilled youths, extension-based services such as the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) and the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) are needed to connect with youth organizations to provide training and direction for those seeking careers in agriculture. This study sought to better understand the phenomena of competency development through various communication channels used to facilitate leadership development and agricultural literacy within a youth organization known as Nokia Farming Agricultural Innovation Platform (NOFAIP). A single instrumental case study was conducted to assess the career preparedness of youth within the NOFAIP group and opportunities that exist for employment within agriculture-related industries. Results found that upon receiving training from UFAAS, the NOFAIP group had increased their credibility amongst Ugandan farming communities and supported the growth of agricultural competencies, such as soil testing, using backpack sprayers to spread fertilizers, and managing citrus groves. Through hands-on experiences and engagement with appropriate training, the NOFAIP group established communication channels that were critical to experience personal growth and the invigoration of an entrepreneurial spirit within agriculture.

Perceptions on adolescents’ friendly health services concepts and the use of health services by adolescents in Kavango region, Namibia

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the perceptions on adolescents’ friendly health services concepts and the use of health services by adolescents in Kavango region, Namibia.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using mixed methods - quantitative and qualitative approaches among 350 school learners and 150 school drop-out adolescents. In total a sample of 540 was utilized. The stratified random sampling techniques were used in the selections of the circuit and the schools. Structured questionnaires were used in face-to-face interviews, and in depth interviews were conducted among the key informants (25 teachers) and as well with 15 school learners.Results: Illustrated the following: there was a statistically highly significant association between adequate confidentiality, last visit at the health facility and both sexually transmitted infections and visited health facility (p=0.004 respectively). A statistically significant association was found between all visits to health facilities, pamphlets and talks on contraceptives; visit to health facilities, comfortable and contraceptives talks (p=0.001 respectively). Additionally, there was a statistically significant association respectively between both contraceptives used and number of times services sought and between services, pamphlets and contraceptives with a (p 0.010&lt;0.05).Conclusions: The youth need health services that are sensitive to their unique stage of biological, cognitive, and psychosocial transition into adulthood. Health services that are more accessible and acceptable to adolescents and made more youth-friendly.

ReVisioning Sexuality: Relational Joy and Embodied Flourishing

Abstract Sexuality and relationships are a major aspect of teen development. Youth Ministry programs that embrace relational joy and embodied flourishing promote healthy, holistic sexuality for the teens they serve. Yet, many youth ministry programs treat sexuality as a risk (or sin) to be reduced or about which to remain completely silent. Sexuality is part of our created goodness that youth need help to understand and embrace. Faith leaders can influence how teens understand their sexuality and relationships, either as a positive dimension of joy and flourishing or as an inhibitor to health and thriving. In addition to this theological conversation, this article describes increased risks to adolescents who experience high levels of disapproval from families and faith leaders with regards to their sexuality and suggests specific ways to integrate healthy and holistic approaches to faith-based sexuality education that cultivates joy and flourishing related to teen sexuality and relationships.

Las cooperativas y los jóvenes

En el momento presente, a comienzos del siglo xxi, los grandes cambios experimentados invitan al estudio y reflexión acerca de la situación de los jóvenes y su posición respecto a las cooperativas. Los jóvenes necesitan a las cooperativas tanto como éstas los necesitan a ellos. Resulta fundamental la investigación acerca de los valores que exhiben los jóvenes y su sintonía con los valores cooperativos que conforman su identidad.&#x0D; Recibido: 17 octubre 2016Aceptado: 07 noviembre 2016

College Students Perception Towards Entrepreneurship During the Pandemic in Madurai City

The future is in the hands of the youth and with technology taking the fore-front in every aspect of life, it is clear that both have a pivotal role to play in the development of the economy, not just in Madurai City but also across the country and the globe. With the wave of uncertainty brought on by the Covid – 10 pandemic, now more than ever there is a need for youth to come up with sustainable ventures. In order for youth to utilize their full potential, they need to be able to incorporate and channelize their skills and available technology into a line of employment that brings about development on social, economic, and environmental levels. The 2011 census revealed that unemployment rates were greater among literates in urban areas in comparison to illiterates. This reveals that the need of the hour is for entrepreneurship to develop at the college level or even earlier. This descriptive analytical paper deals with how the perception of college students in Madurai City has been changed as a result of the global pandemic. It also identifies the challenges that college students have faced in their pursuit of entrepreneurship as a result of the pandemic.

Cause for concern: Australian youth engaged with alcohol and other drug services are falling behind our community progress in reducing tobacco use.

Tobacco use is decreasing in the general youth population yet little evidence is tracking changes in young people who are engaged with youth alcohol and other drug (AOD) services that are often disengaged from school and wok settings. This study reviews tobacco use amongst 1823 young people engaged with youth AOD services in Victoria in 2013 and 2017 from the Youth Needs Census. This study contrasted use patterns over the three-year period against Australian population data. The results show tobacco use is not declining in the youth AOD engaged population as observed with other young Australians. Further, reductions in tobacco use observed in the community sample were not evident in the youth AOD group. Finally, high rates of tobacco dependence are shown in the 2016 cohort. The results highlight a need for the adoption of evidence-based tobacco early intervention programs in youth AOD services to address this significant health risk.

Content analysis of the use of fear in The Real Cost Youth E-cigarette Prevention Campaign

ABSTRACT Background The epidemic of youth electronic cigarette use has become an alarming public health concern. To address this urgent issue, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched ‘The Real Cost Youth E-cigarette Prevention Campaign’ in late September 2018 as part of the Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan to warn teens about the dangers of e-cigarette use. The campaign used digital and social media websites that are popular among youth, deployed video games hosted on a designated website, and distributed posters to schools across the country. Method We conducted a qualitative content analysis to assess whether the three venues and featured messages employed appropriate approaches. We utilized the existing literature and past successful campaigns to evaluate the campaign’s messaging to prevent youth e-cigarette use. Results The choice of communication venues was innovative and potentially effective. However, the campaign featured repeated use of fear-based messages in these advertisements. The campaign did not feature messages empowering youth and promoting specific healthy behaviors. Conclusion We propose more evidence-based messaging that features positive and empowering strategies for youth to model healthy behavioral changes and directly targeted campaigns with youth involvement against youth-targeting advertising and marketing by the tobacco industry. Accompanying the campaign, social policies directed toward youth need to be enacted to create synergy across youth e-cigarette prevention efforts. Moving beyond the outcomes of attitudes and beliefs, more research is needed to evaluate the impact of these enhanced population-wide communication strategies on reducing and preventing youth e-cigarette use.