Youth Perspectives Research Articles

Perspectives of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth on Anti-Vaping Messages in Social Media.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth have higher rates of nicotine vaping than other youth in the United States. While social media can be effective in reaching youth and discouraging vaping, informed cultural tailoring is necessary to ensure effective messaging to SGM youth. This study aimed to understand SGM youth perspectives on anti-vaping social media messages and tailoring approaches. In-depth, qualitative videoconference interviews were conducted from February to July 2022 with 34 SGM youth recruited in the United States via social media ads. The interview guide addressed participants' beliefs about vaping, the context of vaping, perspectives on tailoring messages, and responses to examples of social media anti-vaping messages. Coding and thematic analysis followed a team-based approach. SGM youth perspectives fell into four categories - representation and diversity, facts and evidence, empowering messages, and source credibility. Participants stressed the importance of accurate, genuine representation of SGM youth in messages, but also noted that more overt representation may be seen as tokenizing. Participants recommended partnering with known LGBTQ+ influencers who can promote or share anti-vaping messages on social media platforms. They also recommended using culturally tailored language, including statistics specific to SGM youth, and invoking themes of empowerment to improve the relevance, reach, and effectiveness of anti-vaping campaigns. Findings can inform future efforts to develop anti-vaping messages for SGM youth with effective reach through social media. Nuanced perspectives on SGM representation in messages suggest a careful approach to tailoring. Concerns around inauthenticity may be minimized by ensuring SGM youth are included in message development and dissemination. This study describes the importance of being attentive to the tailoring preferences among the current generation of sexual and gender minority youth. Findings will inform social media-based messaging strategies that discourage nicotine vaping tailored for SGM youth in health campaign material design and evaluation, ensuring that tailored messages are designed in ways that avoid unintended consequences. The study also describes methods for effectively engaging SGM youth in research to improve the relevance of health education materials for this population and increase reach, which in turn can lead to reduction in vaping practices among SGM youth.

Uncovering effects of climate-sensitive health risks on historically marginalized youth in Washington State: creating opportunities for maximum involvement

Abstract Climate-sensitive hazards, including extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and rising sea levels, can jeopardize the health of all populations. However, certain population groups are more vulnerable to harm from these hazards. While youth–particularly those from historically marginalized groups and communities–are among those at the highest risk, their abilities may be underutilized in local climate adaptation efforts. This exploratory research aimed to identify opportunities for youth involvement in climate and environmental solutions in their historically marginalized communities. Specifically, this study (1) investigated youth risk perceptions and impacts of various climate-sensitive hazards (e.g. extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and sea level rise); (2) examined current barriers, resource needs, and opportunities for youth to engage in climate and environmental solution work; and (3) explored current methods and spaces where youth and community leaders can support youth-led climate-related initiatives. Through focus group discussions with youth and in-depth interviews with community leaders who are directly with youth, this study identified opportunities to leverage youth experiences, perceptions, and assets to promote a healthy and resilient community in the face of various compounding climate-related threats. Results showed that while youth recognize the changing climate and associated health impacts, they require more financial resources and support from local decision-makers to maintain their engagement and promote community resilience. Engaging youth in climate action and community resilience involves more than just centering youth voices and perspectives–it requires intentional collaboration, capacity-building, organizing, granting decision-making power, and other strategies to produce inclusive, intersectional, and sustainable solutions.

Youth Perspectives of Neglect Signs and Help-Seeking.

Child neglect, recognized as the most prevalent form of child maltreatment with profound repercussions on children's development, has received limited scholarly attention compared to abuse. The current study addresses this shortfall with a qualitative research investigation involving 10 multicultural focus groups of youths aged 12 to 15. The research examined how young individuals identify signs of child neglect and discern whether formal and informal sources of assistance may be relied upon to assist in addressing this issue. Through qualitative-thematic analysis, three primary themes emerged: (1) Characteristics of neglected children, (2) challenges in identifying child neglect, and (3) official and unofficial sources to appeal for assistance when child neglect is identified. This study's insights concern peers' recognition of signs indicating neglect in children and their perspectives on potential assistance.

Youth Participatory Action Communication Research: A Model for Developing Youth-Driven Health Campaigns

ABSTRACT Youth offer valuable insight on health communication needs and solutions in their communities. We propose youth participatory action communication research (YPACR) as a model for health campaign development that engages youth perspectives in applying systematic theory-informed communication research to addressing youth-identified health priorities. YPACR informed a series of paid high school internship programs in West Philadelphia, in which youth interns identified mental health help-seeking communication as a need among peers. In Phase 1, guided by the reasoned action approach and Hornik & Woolf method, youth interns conducted a survey measuring behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs associated with mental health help-seeking, as well as trusted sources of mental health information, among local high school students. Survey results suggested control (self-efficacy) was an important message target and peers were trusted mental health information sources. In Phase 2, youth interns developed TikTok-style messages focused on strengthening control beliefs and promoting a youth-selected mental health support resource. Youth interns distributed an online survey experiment to test whether youth-created messages shown alongside resource information increased help-seeking self-efficacy compared to an information-only control. The YPACR framework contributed to youth-relevant campaign goals, study measurements, recruitment approaches, data interpretation, and message design. We discuss the benefits and challenges of this youth-driven health campaign development model and recommendations for future research.

The relationship between distress tolerance and behavioral activation on anxiety and depression symptomatology in autistic youth: Leveraging self and caregiver perspectives.

Anxiety and depression are prevalent among autistic adolescents and may be difficult to accurately diagnose and treat given various factors (e.g., diagnostic overshadowing, heterogeneity). Therefore, efforts to examine transdiagnostic factors (i.e., distress tolerance, behavioral activation) may afford more parsimonious means for assessment and treatment. To our knowledge, there has been little research on distress tolerance, behavioral activation, and depressive and anxiety symptoms in autistic adolescents to guide diagnostic practices and treatment planning. In the current study, we examined the interrelationships between these transdiagnostic factors and depressive and anxiety symptoms using ratings from 100 verbally fluent autistic adolescents without intellectual disability (Mage = 13.70, SDage = 2.23, Range: 11:00-17:11 years) and 100 of their caregivers. Many adolescents reported male sex assigned at birth (61%), cisgender (87%), not Hispanic/Latinx (90%), and White (80%) identities. A series of correlational analyses were employed to examine associations between these constructs from youth and caregiver perspectives, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the mediating roles of distress tolerance and behavioral activation. Preliminary results show that low distress tolerance and behavioral activation were associated with more severe internalizing symptoms per self- and caregiver-report. Some differences by rater emerged, which highlight the importance of multi-informant ratings in autism. Results from mediation analyses may show that behavioral activation may be more salient to assessments and treatment planning for depression than distress tolerance, while distress tolerance may be important for both anxiety and depression; however, findings are preliminary given the cross-sectional nature of the data. Findings suggest that these transdiagnostic concepts may be important to individualizing treatment approaches, including the timing of certain approaches, for anxiety and/or depression in autistic adolescents.

Youth Perspectives on the Flint Water Crisis and Its Health Effects.

While the youth of Flint are at risk from the effects of the water crisis, little is known about their perspective of the impact of the water on their health. To explore adolescents' perceptions of living in Flint during the water crisis, its impact on their health, and ways to address the crisis and rebuild trust. In summer 2018, four focus groups were conducted with adolescents in Flint (ages 13 to 17 years). Group sessions were conducted by trained facilitators who were Flint residents along with members of the community-academic research team. Group sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were reviewed and themes identified by the research team and youth from the focus groups. Of the 53 participants, most identified as Black (66%) and male (64%). Participants expressed concern about the impact of the water on their health. They knew people who developed rashes, experienced cognitive changes, and who died, they believed, owing to the water. The crisis also led to psychological consequences for youth. They expressed ongoing mistrust of the water and of institutions that should protect them, as well as concern that exposure may have long-term effects on their health and their children's health. Despite these concerns, participants expressed resilience and a desire to share that they had the potential to live successful lives. Youth expressed concern about current and long-term health sequelae of the water crisis. Further work is needed to monitor the consequences of the crisis and to identify resident-informed approaches to mitigate its effects and rebuild trust.

Perspectives of Transition-Aged Youth with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities about Self-Advocacy and Civic Engagement

AbstractIn alignment with the rallying cry of the self-advocacy movement, it is critical to center the perspectives of people with disabilities about their lived experiences. Yet, little is known about how youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) engage in self-advocacy and civic engagement in special education. We conducted focus groups with 15 transition-aged youth with IDD across four states about self-advocacy and civic engagement. Youth with IDD reported engaging in self-advocacy at school, but outside of their individualized education program meetings. Parent advocacy and positive partnerships with educators promoted youth self-advocacy. Youth reported minimal involvement in civic engagement, but they had suggestions for systemic changes to special education. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Perspectives of South Asian Youth in the United States about Gender Norms and Healthcare Decision Making

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the voices of South Asian youth in the United States about gender norms and healthcare decision making. Ten focus group discussions were held with 36 students of South Asian origin at a university on the West Coast of the United States. Thematic analysis was performed on the focus group data. Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) intersectionality of gender with other factors that affect healthcare decision making, (2) impact of gender on health, and (3) coping strategies. Participants reported preferential treatment for boys versus girls, vesting decision-making control among males, worse health among females, and coping strategies. A few responses indicated that power differentials in some families were shifting to a more egalitarian balance between males and females. Aspects such as age, employment, and language barriers intersected with gender to create a complex web of influence on healthcare decision making. The study has implications for social workers to offer culturally responsive support to South Asian youth in the United States, paying attention to the intersectionalities when working with them. Further research is needed to explore the influence of gender on healthcare decision-making processes of South Asian youth in the United States.

Development of a digital mental health intervention for youth with ADHD: exploring youth perspectives on wants, needs, and barriers.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder affecting five to eight percent of children and youth worldwide. Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are core symptoms, which often leads to comorbid disorders and impairments. Increased prevalence of ADHD among youth requires development of accessible and scalable interventions. Digital interventions for ADHD show promising results for adults, yet insight into youths perspectives and needs from digital ADHD interventions is lacking. This study is set in a person-based approach and explore what youths want and need from a therapist-guided digital intervention for ADHD. Exploratory individual interviews were conducted with youths aged 13-16 years diagnosed with ADHD (N = 16). Participants with an ADHD diagnosis were recruited primarily via social media. The interview guide was based on research, treatment guidelines, and clinical expertise. The study applied reflexive thematic analysis, within a Big Q framework. Codes and themes were generated in Nvivo. Four main themes and sub-themes were generated: (1) Tailoring the intervention to youths with ADHD (Push the right buttons; Stumbling blocks), (2) Managing ADHD (Planning and Focus; Regulation and Balance; Social interactions), (3) Me and my ADHD (Insight and Understanding; Accept and Normalization), and (4) Balance between support and independence. The findings suggest that youths with ADHD prefer stimulating and interactive treatment and are aversive to overwhelming, passive content. The intervention and therapist should encourage empowerment by supporting the youths autonomy in managing their ADHD. Future research is needed to investigate feasibility for person-based approaches to digital mental health treatments. Furthermore, parent perspectives on digital treatment for youths with ADHD should be investigated.

University student flood risk perceptions and flood probability knowledge in Greater Sydney

AbstractWhile flood risk perception has been studied extensively in general populations, there remains a dearth of focus on youth perspectives – a key demographic to mobilising knowledge to achieve disaster risk reduction targets. This study aimed to evaluate university students’ perceptions of flood risk and their understanding of common flood probabilities in the Greater Sydney region of Australia. We surveyed 262 university students to better understand how flood preparedness, knowledge, and experience predict flood risk perceptions. Using ordinal logistic regression, we identified that students with past flood experience and women were more likely to have higher flood risk perceptions. In contrast, students with higher flood preparedness were more likely to have lower flood risk perceptions. Age, degree level (e.g. bachelor’s, master’s), place of residence, and flood knowledge were inconclusive predictors of risk perception. We also assessed differences in how students rated the likelihood of three equivalent flood probabilities presented in different ways: (1) a 1-in-100 year flood; (2) a flood with a 1% of happening in a given year; and (3) a flood with a 55% chance in an 80-year lifetime. Using Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests, we compared differences within student responses and across different risk perception groups. We found that students perceived equivalent flood probabilities stated over longer periods of time to be more likely to occur. This study contributes to understanding student perceptions of flood risk, presenting recommendations on how governments and higher educational institutions can improve building students’ knowledge of flood hazards.

Youth Perspectives on 'Highly Personalised and Measurement-Based Care': Qualitative Co-Design of Education Materials.

Despite high levels of mental ill-health amongst young people (aged 15-30), this group demonstrates low help-seekingand high drop-out from mental health services (MHS). Whilstshared decision-making can assist people in receiving appropriate and effective health care, young people frequently report that they do not feel involved in treatment decisions. The current study focused on co-design of a clinical education and participant information programme for the Brain and Mind Centre Youth Model of Care. This model, which articulates a youth-focused form of highly personalised and measurement-based care, is designed to promote shared decision-making between young people and clinical service providers. We conducted workshops with 24 young people (16-31; MAge = 21.5) who had accessed mental health services. Participants were asked what advice they would give to young people entering services, before giving advice on existing materials. Workshops were conducted and transcripts were coded using thematic analysisby two lived experience researchers and a clinical researcher. Young people found it empowering to be educated on transdiagnostic models of mental illness, namely clinical staging, which givesthem a better understanding of why certain treatments may be inappropriate and ineffective, and thus reduce self-blame. Similarly, young people had limited knowledge of links between mental health and other life domains and found it helpful to be educated on multidisciplinary treatment options. Measurement-based care was seen as an important method of improving shared decision-making between young people and health professionals;however, to facilitate shared decision-making, young people also wanted better information on their rights in care and more support to share their expertise in their own needs, valuesand treatment preferences. These findings will inform the delivery of the further development and implementation of a youth-specific clinical education and participant information programme for the BMC Youth Model. Workshops were facilitated by researchers with lived expertise in mental ill-health (A.H. and/or C.G.) and a clinical researcher (who has expertise as an academic and a clinical psychologist). A.H. and C.G. were also involved in conceptualisation, analysis, interpretation, review and editing of this paper.

학생주도 생명존중교육 프로그램에 참여한 고교생의 경험에 대한 합의적 질적연구

Objectives This study developed an alternative program that could overcome the limitations of existing life-respect education and then analyzed the experiences of students who participated in the program using qualitative research methods. Methods A student-led life respect education program based on Flipped Learning and Problem Based Learning was developed and implemented for 450 high school students in Seoul. Qualitative data (satisfaction survey open-ended questions, written interviews, group interviews, impression sharing activities, etc.) were collected from 190 general students and 33 student instructors participating in education at two high schools. The collected data were analyzed using a consensual qualitative research method to examine the meaning and context of the students' experiences. Results The meaning of the experiences of general students who participated in education can be condensed and expressed as ‘education to think and communicate together from the perspective of youth.’ In addition, the meaning of the experience of the student instructors who led the education can be said to be ‘learning to explain, learning more deeply, one stone and two birds.’ This can be understood in the context of the ‘Learning Pyramid’, a schema that defines efficient learning methods. Conclusions We propose to improve educational effectiveness through exploration of learning strategies for life-respecting education, and limitations of the study and future research tasks were presented.

학교 부적응 청소년이 인식한 부모-자녀 의사소통에 관한 주관성 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out the types and characteristics of subjective perceptions of parent-child communication experiences perceived by school maladjusted adolescents using the Q methodology. Methods For this purpose, a Q population was formed through prior research and interviews, and 33 Q samples were confirmed. And for purposive sampling, a P sample was selected from 30 middle and high school students who were being educated at an entrusted educational institution due to school maladaptive behavior, and principal component factor analysis was conducted using the classification process of the Q sample and the PC-QUANL program. Results As a result of the study, by applying Satir's communication model, the characteristics of each type were classified into four types : Type 1 is ‘congruent type’, Type 2 is ‘blaming type’, Type 3 is ‘placating type’, and Type 4 is ‘super-reasonable type’. The characteristics could be examined from the perspective of maladjusted youth. Conclusions This study examined the types and characteristics of subjective perception from the perspective of children on the subject of parent-child communication through the Q methodology. If research subjects(parent's perspective, etc.) and research area(school, friends, etc.) are expanded in the future, and related research results are integrated and subdivided by type, it is expected to serve as basic data for solving practical problems of adolescents' school maladjustment and dysfunctional communication.

Understanding youth empowerment: a youth participatory action research approach

PurposeThe aim of this study is two-fold: (1) to promote a model of youth participatory research and offer a window of understanding into how it can be enacted and (2) to understand youth perspectives on youth empowerment. This study asks: “how can youth help us understand youth empowerment?”Design/methodology/approachThe study applies youth participatory action research (YPAR) and interpretative phenomenological analysis. The study illustrates how to enact a model of YPAR by engaging youth in the process of research in a youth-serving community non-profit organization.FindingsThis study sets out to make two important contributions, one methodological and one theoretical: First, the study contributes to our understanding of the opportunities and benefits of youth-engaged, peer-to-peer research. Specifically, this study promotes a model of youth participatory action research and knowledge making processes, and the associated social and formal benefits for youth. By extension, this study illustrates an approach to engage youth in formal contexts which has implications for both management and organizational studies and education. Finally, the study extends our understanding and conceptualization of the phenomenon of youth empowerment (as informed by youth perspectives).Originality/valueThe study offers insight into how to conduct youth participatory action research and specifically how to address two limitations cited in the literature: (1) how to authentically engage youth including how to share power, and (2) how to perform youth participatory action research, often critiqued as a black box methodology.

Factors Hindering Youth Participation in Agribusiness at Mbarali District in Mbeya Region

Aims: This study was set to examine factors hindering youth participation in agribusiness in Mbarali district in Mbeya region. Specifically, the study intended to determine the influence of youth perspectives towards participation in agri-business, identify socio-economic factors hindering youth participation in agri-business, and analyse the measures established to support youth participation in agri-business Methodology: The study adopted a mixed method approach involving both primary and secondary sources of data. The information was obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and documentary reviews. A sample of 384 youths aged 15-35 was adopted drawn from the total population using Krejci and Morgan table for a Finite Population. Results: Results in this study show that age, marital status, and training and development have a favourable and significant effect on youth engagement in agriculture and most of the youths perceive agriculture to be less profitable revealing that the perceptions of both male and female youths towards agricultural activity and agribusiness as a branch are still a hindrance towards youth engagement in agribusiness activities. Moreover, the youths in Mbarali district face several socio-economic hindrances in getting involved in agri-preneurship and business such as lack of adequate working capital, low knowledge in agribusiness, land access problems, restrictive bank landing conditions, subsidized Govt inputs not reaching the youth, unfavourable commodity markets and lack of youths’ platforms to channel their views. These factors have been echoed by most of the participants in this study along with some key informants who were visited to offer their insights on the subject under study. Conclusion: The youth in Africa mostly have a negative perception concerning agriculture. This influences their intention and participation in Agriculture. There is a lack of access to land; finance; technology; education and skills in agribusiness. However mixed findings on access to finance and its influence on the engagement of the youth in agriculture. More studies should look at the influence of access to finance and other resources on youth engagement in agriculture. Youth involvement in agriculture is crucial, but experts may not regard it as a serious threat to long-term agricultural practices.

Parent, child, and adolescent lived experience using the insulin-only iLet Bionic Pancreas.

Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems show great promise for improving glycemic outcomes and reducing disease burden for youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The current study examined youth and parent perspectives after using the insulin-only iLet Bionic Pancreas (BP) during the 13-week pivotal trial. Parents and youth participated in focus group interviews, with questions assessing participants' experiences in a variety of settings and were grounded in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Qualitative analysis was completed by 3 authors using a hybrid thematic analysis approach. Qualitative analysis of focus groups revealed a total of 19 sub-themes falling into 5 major themes (Diabetes Burden, Freedom and Flexibility, Daily Routine, Managing Glucose Levels, and User Experience). Participants' overall experience was positive, with decreased burden and improved freedom and flexibility. Some participants reported challenges in learning to trust the system, adjusting to the user interface, and the system learning their body. This study adds to the growing literature on patient perspectives on using AID systems and was among the first to assess caregiver and youth experiences with the BP system over an extended period (13 weeks). Patient feedback on physical experiences with the device and experiences trusting the device to manage glucose should inform future development of technologies as well as approaches to education for patients and their families.

Visualising the post-2000s Inland Tibet Class generation: female authorship and renegotiation of ethnicity

ABSTRACT This study investigates the first films made by a female director, Kangdrun (T: Gangs sgron, གངས་ྒྲསྒྲོན་, Gangzhen, 岗珍, b. 1995) belonging to the Post-2000s Inland Tibet Class (ITC) generation. Following the experience of the Sinophone-Tibetan filmmaker Kangdrun in a Chinese language education environment, her films, and Tibetan cultural communities, this study discusses Kangdrun’s visual strategies for telling stories from the perspectives of children and youth through a feminine camera eye. The Chinese language education and Tibetan cultural community relations have reshaped the ethnic awareness of the post-2000s ITC generation regarding what can be called ‘a safe Chinese Tibetan citizenship’. This study contributes to a new understanding of modern Tibetan authors’ generational relationships, the expressive styles of the female Sinophone-Tibetan filmmaker, and how affective visuality mediates the cultural, political, and gender identity formation of female artists of the post-2000s ITC generation.

Caregiver, Youth, and Community Partner Perspectives on the Impact of COVID-19 on African American families

The current study identified qualitative themes describing the impact of COVID-19 on African American families living in urban, low-income areas. A total of 22 caregivers, 15 adolescents, and 37 community partners, including service providers and organizational leaders participated in qualitative interviews. Study findings identified five qualitative themes that included: (a) the worsening of existing inequities, (b) altering the framework for public education delivery, (c) changes in the dynamics of family relationships, (d) challenges in healthcare, emotional impact, and well-being, and (e) positive changes such as learning and coping. Our findings provided a context-specific examination of COVID-19′s impact, identifying some novel qualitative aspects using multiple perspectives that have implications for policy and practice.

Parents’ Mental Illness and Its Impacts On Children: A Descriptive Study of the Perspectives of Youths (Case Study: Serekunda West, The Gambia)

Parents’ Mental Illness and Its Impacts On Children: A Descriptive Study of the Perspectives of Youths (Case Study: Serekunda West, The Gambia)

Youth perspectives on technology ethics: analysis of teens’ ethical reflections on AI in learning activities

ABSTRACT The integration of AI technologies in all domains of life raises ethical debates. Children and young people are not exempt from these discussions since AI is also an increasing part of their lives. This study explores teenagers’ (aged 13 to 16 years) views on AI with a focus on ethical thinking. This is a retrospective empirical study in which data from three cases involving young people in technology learning activities have been analysed to answer the following research questions: (i) What ethical challenges around AI do young people reflect upon and (ii) what ethical dimensions do these reflections connect to? We have adapted an existing framework outlining dimensions of ethical thinking to identify young people’s ethical reflections on AI in various learning activities. Our findings show how young people reflect on AI ethics, even without dedicated teaching on it and are able to consider various dimensions and make connections to everyday uses of AI raising ethical issues. Based on our findings, we advocate for an integrated approach of AI and ethics in learning activities about technology. We believe the framework presented in this study can be a valuable tool to inform further research and practice.