Youth Policy Research Articles

Youth Transition, Culture and Identity in Timor-Leste

Over the years, young people in Timor-Leste have faced difficulties accessing employment, and youth violence continues to rise. This study examines how historical events and social changes have shaped youth behaviour in Timor-Leste. It also explores the cultural representation and identity of youth who lived through periods of social turmoil and political tension. Additionally, the study addresses social issues that impact the transition of today's youth. Practical measures to improve the well-being of today's youth are crucial, including encouraging job accessibility, developing relevant youth policies, and enhancing youth-related activities.

Youth Work in the Republic of Kazakhstan: State and Prospects of Development

The purpose of this article is to analyze the state and prospects of development of youth work in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The analysis of scientific and methodological literature on the subject under study is carried out, the works of many well-known Kazakh and international scientists are studied. The article presents the content of youth policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and analyses the features of the implementation of youth work programmes in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The shortcomings of the implementation of youth policy programs are expressed and ways to improve these programs are considered.

Sequential Dual Mediating Effects of Smartphone Dependence and Aggression on the Relationship Between Negative Parenting Attitudes and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents

ABSTRACTThis study examined the sequential dual mediating effects of negative parenting attitudes, smartphone dependence and aggression on depressive symptoms among adolescents. Data were obtained from the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute. Using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method, the 2018 KCYPS comprehensively examined various aspects of the growth and development of children and adolescents. The study sample included a nationally representative sample of 2541 adolescents. PROCESS macro Model 6 was used to examine the sequential dual mediating model that not only examines the effects of negative parenting attitudes on smartphone dependence and aggression but also establishes the sequential causal relationship between smartphone dependence and aggression, ultimately confirming the direct and indirect effects on depressive symptoms of adolescents. The significance of the mediation effect was verified by applying the bootstrapping method. The findings demonstrated that negative parenting attitudes increased smartphone dependence, which, in turn, elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents. Furthermore, negative parenting attitudes increased smartphone dependence, which heightened aggression, ultimately contributing to depressive symptoms among adolescents. Based on these findings, this study has practical and policy implications for preventing depressive symptoms among adolescents. Prioritizing efforts to reduce smartphone dependence and aggression among adolescents while promoting positive parenting attitudes can play a crucial role in addressing this issue.

Predictors of social withdrawal among early adolescents in Korea: a latent growth class analysis

Abstract Background This study examines the trajectory of social withdrawal from the fourth grade of elementary school to the first grade of middle school in Korea. By classifying them, we identify individual differences such as individual, family, and school factors. Methods This study uses data from the Korean Youth Panel Survey (KYCPS) conducted by the Korea Youth Policy Research Institute, which includes data from the 1st-4th waves of KYCPS 2018, with a total of 2,607 participants (1,313 boys and 1,294 girls). A latent class growth analysis verifies the trajectory of youth social withdrawal, classifies latent classes, and identifies predictive. SPSS 24.0 was used to analyze the main variables’ characteristics, descriptive analysis, and reliability. Mplus 8.9 was used to test the research model. Results First, results indicated that three was the optimum number of latent classes. We identified three latent classes ‘high level of withdrawal continued (HL)’, ‘medium level of withdrawal increased (ML)’, and ‘low level of withdrawal increased (LL)’. Second, when compared the ‘LL’ and ‘HL’ groups, the higher the self-esteem, the higher the friendship, and the higher the dependence on smartphones, the more likely it was to be in the ‘HL’ group. Third, when comparing ‘LL’ and ‘ML’ groups, the more negative the parenting attitude, the more likely it was to be in the ‘ML’ group. On the other hand, higher self-esteem and more positive friend and teacher relationships were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the ‘LL’ group. Conclusions It is necessary to seek differentiated interventions to prevent social withdrawal among early adolescents. Parental education to understand the adolescent period and practical approaches to intervene in the negative psycho-emotional aspects of adolescents continuously are needed to enhance the healthy psychological development of early adolescents. Key messages • The higher the self-esteem, the higher the friendship, and the higher the dependence on smartphones, the more likely it was to be in the ‘high level of withdrawal continued’ group. • Higher self-esteem and more positive friend and teacher relationships were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the ‘low level of withdrawal increased’ group.

Ban on mobile phones in the classroom: first (positive) effects

Abstract Karin Boode MBA is Strategic Youth Policy Advisor and working at the National Association of Regional Public Health Services Netherlands. Leading on from the presentation on the harms of social media and smartphones, Karin will present examples of policies that have been successful in reducing the health impacts on youngsters. She will focus on the role of schools in addressing this problem, and how public health organisations can effectively disseminate guidance to teachers and parents in limiting screen time and improving self-regulating behaviours of children and adolescents to minimise screen and smartphone addiction. Karin will also explore controversial legislation such as smartphone bans.

COOPERATION OF EU AND UKRAINIAN YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS DURING THE 1990s (Based on the Documents of the EU Historical Archive)

The article highlights the development of relations between European and Ukrainian youth organisations after 1991, as well as the challenges that Ukraine has faced in establishing these relations. The author notes that there is currently no research on the cooperation of European youth organisations with Ukrainian youth organisations after 1991. This study was developed thanks to a grant from the Visegrad Fund for Research of the Historical Archive of the European Union. Access to original materials stored in the Historical Archive of the European Union allowed to analyse the main milestones in the development of cooperation between Ukrainian and European youth organizations after restoring Ukraine's independence. The article analyses the change in attitude towards the countries of Eastern Europe as potential partners in the last decade of the existence of the Soviet Union, as well as after its collapse. It was concluded that the opposition between the Soviet Union and Western Europe negatively influenced the development of relations between youth organizations in the transition period. The author concludes that after restoring Ukraine's independence, Ukrainian youth organizations made significant efforts to establish cooperation with European organizations. However, the state did not have enough funds for the development of foreign youth policy and the necessary knowledge due to the lack of experience in cooperation with Western European partners.

Neglect, School Violence, and Internalizing Behaviors in Children from Multicultural Families in Korea

Children from multicultural families (i.e., families with at least one parent from a foreign country other than Korea) in South Korea face increased risks of adverse life conditions at home and school. However, few studies have investigated the cumulative effects of family and school adversities, especially internalizing behaviors in this population. This study examined the association between neglect and internalizing behaviors (i.e., depression and social withdrawal) and whether victimization from school violence amplifies the impact of neglect. Data were drawn from the second wave of the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS), which was constructed by the National Youth Policy Institute (NYPI) and included 1500 fifth-graders surveyed in 2012. We first examined the moderating effect of school violence victimization on the association between neglect and depression and subsequently tested the same model to predict social withdrawal. This study showed that neglect significantly increased depression and social withdrawal. Additionally, the impact of neglect on depression and social withdrawal intensified when school violence coexisted. The findings of this study suggest that children from multicultural families exposed to co-occurring adversities require more attention. Assessment of polyvictimization and psychological counseling are necessary for supporting these children who have suffered violence at home and school.

Применение медиации в разрешении межличностных и внутрисемейных конфликтов

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective. </strong>Substantiation of mediation as a popular and effective technology for resolving interpersonal and intra-family disputes. Demonstration of the results of the mediation service functioning in the field of youth policy in Saint Petersburg. <br><strong>Background. </strong>Mediation as one of the ways to resolve conflicts in the modern context was formed relatively recently, in the middle of the last century. At the same time, since 2019 in the Russian Federation the mediation procedure becomes an independent socially oriented technology of working with the population. Currently, the domestic experience of using this technology in the public sector requires an independent analysis, the first step of which is an analysis of the activities of the first budget mediation service in Russia. <br><strong>Methodology. </strong>Systemic and subjective approaches, a method of qualitative analysis. <br><strong>Conclusions. </strong>To increase the effectiveness of mediation, we should strive to increase the average number of meetings for each case, take care of the prevention of professional burnout of mediators and expand public awareness of the specifics of this technology in order to reduce the number of inappropriate appeals.</p>

Legal regulation of the international activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine

The article is devoted to highlighting the features of the normative and legal regulation of the international activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. The content of the concepts of «legal regulation» and «normative and legal regulation» is clarified, taking into account existing scientific approaches to their understanding. It is determined that normative and legal regulation is a part of legal regulation and focuses on influence through normative legal acts, whereas legal regulation includes a broader spectrum of tools and mechanisms of legal influence. It is concluded that normative and legal regulation is carried out exclusively through legal norms, the external expression of which is the sources of normative and legal regulation. The author analyzes the normative and legal framework that regulates international cooperation in the field of youth and sports, including the laws of Ukraine, decrees of the President of Ukraine, resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as international agreements ratified by Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the mechanisms of implementation of international standards into national legislation, as well as the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the formation and implementation of state policy in the relevant field. The main problems and challenges faced by the Ministry in the context of ensuring effective legal regulation of international activities are identified, and recommendations are provided for improving the normative and legal framework. Improvement of the legal framework and active participation in international projects will help Ukraine to achieve high standards in these fields. As a result of the study, the author concludes that cooperation between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and other state and non-state institutions involved in international activities is a prerequisite for the successful development of youth policy and sports in Ukraine. Improving the legal and regulatory framework for the international activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine is a prerequisite for increasing the efficiency of its work, improving international cooperation and integrating Ukraine into the global sports movement.

Mediating effect of bicultural acceptability among multicultural adolescents in the relationship between depression and life satisfaction

AimThis descriptive study examines the mediating and moderating effects of an attitude of bicultural acceptance on the relationship between depression and life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents in South Korea. MethodThis study analyzes 2018 data provided by the National Youth Policy Institute using the R statistics 4.1.1. program. Descriptive statistics were assessed, and frequency analysis and regression analysis were employed. ResultsBicultural acceptance attitude has a moderating effect and a partial mediating effect on the relationship between depression and life satisfaction. DiscussionMulticultural education and multicultural counseling programs should be directed by policy and provided continuously in schools and local communities to enhance an understanding of multiculturalism and the acceptance of dual cultures.

A policy for the jobless youth in South Africa

This paper uses survey and tax administrative data to analyse the effects of a sizeable employer-borne payroll tax credit for young, low-wage workers in South Africa. We find fairly limited impacts of the wage subsidy on the employment of young, low-wage workers relative to two comparison groups: slightly older, low-wage workers and slightly higher-paid, young workers. We find evidence of increases in low-wage youth entry into employment, but these are too small to affect overall employment. However, the female employment rate has increased, and unemployment among women has dropped because of the policy. We find evidence to suggest that the policy has led to a rise in earnings, particularly for men and those earning around the maximum subsidy value.

Социальные и политические основания конструктивной девиации студенческой молодежи: анализ цифровых следов в региональных сетевых сообществах

Deviant behavior is a popular research topic. The article examines interdisciplinary approaches to its causes, types, and consequences in university students. Constructive deviation is a relatively new phenomenon, which requires systematization and formalization. The current socio-political changes encourage certain socially significant values and helping behavior practices, which makes it possible to develop social resources, as well as social, intellectual, and civic potential in young people. The authors studied internet activities of first-year university students to reveal the social and political prerequisites of constructive deviation. These foundations included the institutional conditions for the development and implementation of the state youth policy, youth initiatives, helping behavior practices, hypernormality, such socially significant values as patriotism and altruism, etc. The sociological interpretation of constructive deviation clarifies the challenges that are relevant for young people and directions for their social consolidation.

Дисфункции проектирования молодёжной политики в российских университетах (на примере участников программы «Приоритет 2030»)

The article analyzes the models of youth policy presented in the development programs of universities participating in the Priority 2030 Federal Project. The author considers the University as the most important institution for the socialization of Russian youth, especially in a situation of geopolitical instability. This stage of a young person's life is defined as a time of social experimentation, selfdiscovery, and the acquisition of important personal qualities and values that contribute to the expansion of solidarity in Russian society. In this regard, the systemic youth policy of the university is becoming a key factor in the social integration of the younger generation. Based on the structural analysis of the program texts, the article draws conclusions about the existence of a number of dysfunctional patterns that significantly reduce the effectiveness of university youth policy. The most significant of them are the insufficient level of goal setting, the lack of measurable performance criteria, descriptive nature, weak correlation with national objectives and priorities. The article concludes that it is necessary to change the university's youth policy and adapt it to the peculiarities of the geopolitical situation in which Russia finds itself.

‘Embers, and fragments’: social haunting in youth work, impact measurement and policy networks

ABSTRACT How do education policy processes and networks operate in sectors that have been chronically defunded? This article discusses elements of contestation and doubt in the context of a policy agenda around impact measurement in youth services in England. Drawing on interviews with policy makers, influencers and critics, it combines analysis of a policy network with theories and methodologies of social haunting, as developed by Avery Gordon, Justine Pors and others. Youth policy, in its present denuded form, is haunted by ghosts of policy past: a mourned tradition of publicly funded, practice-led youth work that refuses to disappear; and spectres of policy yet-to-come: an idealised yet somehow unconvincing future of evidence-based practice and social return on investment. We suggest that engaging with ghosts can enrich understandings of policy making by foregrounding the discomforts that haunt policy networks, questioning the assumed rationality of evidence-based policy and highlighting the contested and interconnected nature of policy and practice futures.

Impact of digitalisation on the structure of youth political leadership

At the present stage, youth political leadership is in the focus of attention of researchers due to the fact that youth policy is an important part of public policy. The concept of the youth political leadership is relatively new and interdisciplinary, integrating politological, sociological, psychopolitical, and managerial approaches. To analyse the phenomenon, the systematisation of scientific approaches to the study of political leadership is conducted, 6 stages of the development of scientific thought from the second half of the XIX century to the beginning of the XXI one are highlighted. The classical and modern theories of leadership are considered. The article substantiates the mediation of methodological approaches to the political leadership by the historical and political context and the level of development of the political culture of society. They are the basis for studying the structure of the phenomenon in question. It is proved that under the influence of digitalisation as the most important aspect of reality, as an attribute of politics and the socio-economic sphere, the structure of the youth political leadership is undergoing a change. Digitalisation makes adjustments to the existing scientific and methodological basis of the political leadership. The analysis of available leadership concepts has shown a movement from its personal aspect to the socio-interactive one, however, in the context of digital transformation, it is necessary to introduce a digital component of leadership. Based on empirical data, the modern structure of the youth political leadership is derived, consisting of three components: personal, socio-interactive, and digital.

Политика государственной поддержки и роль добровольчества в жизненных планах российских и белорусских студентов

The article reveals the role of volunteering in shaping the life plans of students in Russia and Belarus. Modern youth policy is aimed at actively and massively involving youth in various volunteer projects. Young people often get their first volunteer experience while studying at a university and it is important to understand how volunteering is included in the life plans of the most active youth groups – students. The authors analyze the results of a sociological survey of thirdyear university students in the Sverdlovsk region (Russia) and the Grodno region (Belarus) conducted in 2024 (N=3000, the sample is quoted by gender and educational profile of respondents). The life plans of Russian and Belarusian youth are studied, the characteristics and motivation of their volunteer activity are revealed. It is proved that Russian students prefer medium-term planning and practically do not use long-term prospects in their life strategies, while Belarusian youth are characterized by short-term planning mainly for the next year. The results of the study prove that the experience of students' volunteer activities has a direct impact on the horizon of their life planning.

Социальная тревога российского студенчества: территориальный аспект

Relevance. The article is focused оn the analysis of social anxiety and social phobia of modern Russian students of six regions of the Russian Federation in the context of a Special Military Operation and the sanctions pressure of the collective West on our state and its citizens. Research problem. The purpose of our research is to study the manifestations of social anxiety and sociоphobia caused by military actions among Russian students as a special socio-demographic group of people of the younger generation exposed to social risks. Methods. The total number of respondents was 991 people. All respondents are students of higher educational institutions. The research methodology is the Questionnaire of social anxiety and sociobia (OSTiSF). The article analyzes the data of psychological testing (face-to-face and online) of the large-scale interregional socio-psychological study “Russian students: assessments and patterns of the present and future as a basis for the formation of civic and value attitudes”. Research results. It was determined that the dominant type of social anxiety is post-situational rumination. The highest level of social anxiety was observed among young people living in the new Russian territories. Respondents from the newly annexed territories of the Russian Federation have a statistically higher level of social anxiety and sociоphobia than respondents from Belgorod and the Rostov region. Also, social anxiety is higher in women than in men. Conclusions. Psychological correction of social anxiety and sociophobia among modern youth is an important sphere of implementation of university youth policy. Its solution is the prerogative of specialised units of university psychological services.

청소년이 인식하는 혐오표현에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing hate speech during adolescence and to examine the impact of hate awareness formed during this period on various aspects of adolescent life. For this purpose, publicly available data from the “2020 Study on the Exposure to and Countermeasures for Hate Speech among Adolescents,” conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute of Korea, was used. The analysis included data from 3,938 middle and high school students, excluding missing values. The main research findings based on the analysis are as follows. First, it was found that as experiences of hate speech victimization, the perceived social influence of hate speech, and levels of hate towards minority groups increased, the awareness of hate speech during adolescence also heightened. Second, among the risk factors influencing the awareness of hate speech during adolescence, the social influence of hate speech emerged as the most significant factor. Through this, the aim is to raise awareness among adolescents about social minorities, such as women, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, emphasizing that they are members of our societal community with whom we must coexist.

Подкасты в информационном пространстве московских студентов-журналистов: материалы эмпирического исследования

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in podcasting. Young people are becoming not only media consumers of this type of media, but also active producers of it. This is especially true for journalism students who are involved in the process of mass communication both as an audience and as media professionals. Their life-world turns out to be closely connected with the process of media socialization, which is typical for other groups of “digital youth”. The article presents the materials of a representative survey of students of the Faculty of Journalism at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The study was conducted at the stage of modeling an artistic and educational podcast about science and considers students as media consumers and active participants in the process of mass communication. Based on the data obtained, the authors reflect on the possibilities of using elements of expressive techniques and elements of radio drama in the creation of popular science podcasts, the use of non-verbal components of media content to convey more information and meanings, taking into account the preferences of students. The results show that journalism students “care” about their own lifeworlds, but have an extramural respect for others' lifeworlds and the bigger picture of the world. The characteristics of the scientific and educational podcast for representatives of the “digital youth” presented in the article, compiled on the basis of the opinions of this socio-demographic group, can be used in the implementation of projects related to youth policy to promote youth education and career guidance. The local nature of the study does not allow us to draw conclusions about the opinions and moods of the student body as a whole, but gives grounds to formulate assumptions about the situation in the community of holders of special knowledge in the field of journalism and mass communications.

The effect of social withdrawal on life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents: The mediating and moderating effects of parental support

BackgroundThe number of multicultural adolescents is continuously increasing, and they tend to experience more psychological difficulties than their non-multicultural peers. ObjectiveThis study investigates the mediating and moderating effects of parental support on the relationship between social withdrawal and life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents. MethodsThis secondary data analysis utilized the Multicultural Children & Adolescents Panel Survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute. The analysis included data from 2018 and involved 1197 multicultural adolescents. The data were analyzed using the R-Statistics 4.1.1 program. ResultsSocial withdrawal and parental support had a detrimental impact on life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents. Parental support also played a partial mediating role in the connection between social support and life satisfaction. Furthermore, parental support was a moderating factor capable of mitigating the negative influence of social withdrawal on life satisfaction. ConclusionMeasures to reduce social withdrawal and increase parental support are very effective in improving the life satisfaction of multicultural adolescents. More focused professional intervention measures for social withdrawal and parental support must be considered when seeking and preparing support measures to improve the life satisfaction of multicultural adolescents.