Youth Experience Research Articles

Associations between early experiences of thought interference and auditory-verbal hallucinations with first-rank symptoms and suicidality in adulthood.

Suicide is one of the major causes of premature death in patients diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorder. However, associations between psychotic-like experiences in youth and suicidality in later life remain under-researched. We aimed to investigate any associations between early experiences of thought interference and auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVHs) with first-rank symptoms of schizophrenia and suicidal thoughts and behaviours in adulthood. This study used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We calculated combined thought interference score at ages 11 years 8 months, 13 years 1 month, 14 years 1 month and 16 years 6 months. We also assessed AVHs at the same age points. For outcome variables, we used specific variables measuring delusions of control, AVHs and suicidality at 24 years of age. We carried out logistic regressions and mediation analyses to assess the relationships among these variables. Thought interference and AVHs at all ages throughout childhood and adolescence were associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and also with clinically more significant symptoms of delusions of control and AVHs at age 24. Substance use-induced psychotic-like experiences mediated a large proportion of the relationship between early psychotic-like experiences and suicidality in later life. Thought interference and AVHs in childhood and adolescence are associated with first-rank symptoms and suicidality in adulthood. Mental health interventions in children and adolescents need to take into account the impact of specific psychotic-like experiences and allow for the early detection of thought interference and AVH-related symptoms.

Understanding health-related quality of life after hypospadias repair: A qualitative study with pre-adolescent males and parents

Hypospadias is a common disease that affects approximately 1 in every 200 live male births in the United States, and long-term studies of individuals who have undergone repair demonstrate complication rates of 15%-70%. The Hypospadias-Specific Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) Conceptual Framework for youth and adults suggests that additional morbidity may be incurred from poor psychological, social, and sexual health. The current study sought to clarify hypospadias-specific HRQOL and care priorities in a pre-pubertal population. This IRB-approved, semi-structured interview study used rigorous qualitative research methods. Eligible patients were English-speaking 8-12-year-old males with hypospadias and their parents. Families completed a demographic questionnaire and separate youth and parent 30-min telephone interviews. We used hybrid thematic analysis to develop an operational codebook, analyze participant responses, and generate conceptual themes. Mixed methods analysis was used to explore patterns of experiences across groups defined by socioeconomic level. We interviewed 10 parents and 8 children (Median age 9 years, Range 8-11). We generated three overarching themes: Penile Factors, Psychosocial Concerns, and Expectations of Surgery and the Healthcare Team. These highest-order themes were generated for youth, parent-proxy, and parent self-reported experiences, and there were different sub-themes for each participant type (Figure). Youth were focused on avoidance of disclosure and the psychological impact of self-comparisons and embarrassment, while the parental perspective centered on worries about future fertility, complications, psychological health, and normality. Some youth and parents from disadvantaged neighborhoods or those with public insurance indicated a need for more education on normal penile functions and provision of strategies for long-term self-monitoring and facilitation of long-term follow-up on mixed methods analysis. These findings add insight into the multifaceted experiences of pre-pubertal youth and families dealing with hypospadias, and underscore the consistent, wide-ranging interplay between medical, psychological, and social concerns. Patterns in themes across socioeconomic status and insurance coverage suggest that access to information and quality care may vary significantly and could contribute to health disparities. Urologists should employ an individualized approach to counseling and care delivery. Future studies will seek to characterize care priorities in pubertal and post-pubertal age groups to design developmentally adjusted support tools for youth and adults with hypospadias and their families.

Exploring the development of narrative identities in emerging adults who have been in foster care

Foster care involvement is often marked by being in a frequent state of disruption, resilience, disempowerment, and self-protection (e.g., Mitchell, 2016). Although over 400,000 children are in foster care at any given time in the U.S. (Children’s Bureau, 2021), foster youth are a relatively understudied population, especially regarding their own meaning-making and the development of their sense of self. The purpose of the present study was to understand the psychological experiences that shape the construction of self-narratives in young adults who have been in foster care. The sample included nine young adults (18–24 years old) who had been in foster care at some point in their childhood; all participants identified as women. The sample was diverse in terms of racial and ethnic identities. Participants completed brief surveys and an interview regarding their background, foster care experiences, and hopes for the future. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Study findings highlighted how foster youth navigated uncertainty, instability, and isolation in their interpersonal relationships, as well as ambiguity in understanding their past, present, and future. Findings further highlighted the process of managing dialectics throughout development, especially regarding adverse experiences, and how youth are shaped by their past to create their future. While these themes were not exhaustive of the complete process of self-narrative development, they did provide a starting point for understanding and empowering foster youth to own their stories. The primary implication of this study is that the unique developmental context of foster care shapes the self-narrative processes and meaning-making experiences of youth.

Beyond stigma: Clinician bias in contraceptive counseling to sexual and gender minority youth

ObjectivesSexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience disparities in sexual and reproductive health; however, little is known about how clinicians engage in contraceptive counseling with this patient population. This study describes pediatric clinician patterns and biases in contraceptive counseling with SGM youth. Study DesignWe conducted 16 in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of clinicians who counsel adolescents on contraception. Participants were recruited and interviewed in-person at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in October 2022. We used codebook thematic analysis. ResultsWhen discussing contraceptive counseling among SGM youth, three major themes emerged: (1) participants’ acceptance of SGM youth identities varied from support to suspicion and rejection; (2) participants’ conceptualizations of their SGM youth patients’ identities circumscribed the scope of the contraceptive care they provided; and (3) participants described using a universal approach to contraceptive counseling that disregarded the relevance of SGM youth identities. For transgender patients, many clinicians focused on menstrual regulation and overlooked potential pregnancy risk. When discussing sexual minority patients, clinicians overemphasized pregnancy prevention and encouraged the use of highly effective contraceptive methods rather than taking a shared decision-making approach to contraceptive care. ConclusionMany clinicians demonstrated bias in approaches to contraceptive care provision to SGM youth patients by holding patients accountable to normative assumptions in transgender medicine and family planning. Training and support for adolescent-facing clinicians in bias recognition and comprehensive contraceptive care are necessary to provide person-centered reproductive health care to SGM youth.

The Portrait of Jasmine’s Behavior and Personality Structure in “Below Her Mouth” Movie

The purpose of this study was to analyze the personality structure of Jasmine's behavior in Below Her Mouth movie. With this research, it is hoped that the adolescent generation, in particular, can be wiser and more selective in choosing associations and can limit things that can affect their lives in the future, especially from the environment and friendships. This research uses qualitative methods. The object used in this study is a film with a lesbian theme, namely the film Below Her Mouth. The data collected is obtained from the results of watching the film and sorting out the scenes and dialogues in the film. The results showed that Jasmine's behavior in the film Below Her Mouth is influenced by the personality structure dominated by the id structure, Jasmine's cause of eventually becoming a lesbian is influenced by internal and external factors where masculinity and seduction are part of external factors then sexual attraction and youth experiences are part of internal factors

“LA HAINE”: CINEMATIC INSIGHTS INTO PERIPHERY INEQUITY AND FRENCH NATIONAL IDENTITY

The multicultural suburban areas, known as banlieues, surrounding French cities are marked by social inequalities, systemic discrimination, crime, and violence. Mathieu Kassovitz’s film “La Haine” (1995) is set in one such Paris suburb, capturing the daily lives of a group of multi-ethnic friends amidst escalating tensions between the French police and immigrant residents. The film “La Haine”, which received critical acclaim and won the César Award in 1996, serves as a powerful portrayal of life in the banlieues, capturing the essence of marginal inequality. By focusing on the contrasting experiences of suburban youth and the disparities between Paris and its outskirts, the film highlights societal issues that remain relevant even two decades later. This study uses “La Haine” as a lens to explore whether the challenges depicted in the film persist in contemporary society, demonstrating the enduring impact of marginal inequality. Through this analysis, the film emerges as a significant cultural artifact that challenges national identities in France.

The Impact of Positive and Adverse Experiences in Adolescence on Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in Early Adulthood.

This study evaluated the associations between positive and adverse experiences and environments in adolescence and health, education and employment outcomes in early adulthood. Data were extracted from the Longitudinal Studies of Australian Youth cohort that commenced in 2003. The items were conceptually mapped to Positive and Adverse Youth Experiences and environments (PYEs and AYEs) at 15, 16 and 17 years old and outcomes at 25 years old. The associations between PYEs, AYEs and general health, mental health, education and employment were examined, including testing whether PYEs mitigated the association between AYEs and outcomes. A higher number of AYEs was associated with poorer health, education, and employment outcomes. Conversely, a higher number of PYEs was correlated with positive outcomes. The participants with higher PYEs had significantly greater odds of better general and mental health outcomes, even after accounting for AYEs. This relationship was not observed for employment or education outcomes. Adolescence and the transition to adulthood are critical developmental stages. Reducing adverse experiences and environments and increasing positive ones during adolescence could enhance adult wellbeing.

Altered neurobehavioral reward response predicts psychotic-like experiences in youth exposed to cannabis prenatally.

Rates of prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) are rising with increasingly permissive legislation regarding cannabis use, which may be a risk factor for psychosis. Disrupted reward-related neural circuitry may underlie this relationship. To elucidate neural mechanisms involved in the association between PCE and youth-onset psychotic-like experiences by probing correlates of reward anticipation, a neurobehavioral marker of endocannabinoid-mediated dopaminergic function. This longitudinal, prospective study analyzed task-related functional neuroimaging data from baseline (n=11,368), 2-year follow-up (n=7,928), and 4-year follow-up (n=2,982) of the ongoing Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which recruited children aged 9 to 10 years old at baseline from 22 sites across the United States. PCE (n=652 exposed youth) is longitudinally associated with psychotic-like experiences. Blunted neural response to reward anticipation is associated with psychotic-like experiences, with stronger effects observed in PCE youth (all |β| > 0.5; false discovery rate [FDR]-corrected P < .05). This hypoactivation at baseline predicts psychosis symptomatology in middle adolescence (4-year follow-up visit; β=-.004; FDR-corrected P < .05). Dampened behavioral reward sensitivity is associated with psychotic-like experiences across baseline, 2-year follow-up visit, and 4-year follow-up visit (|β| = .21; FDR-corrected P < .001). Psychotic-like experiences are positively associated with trait-level measures of reward motivation and impulsivity, with stronger effects for PCE youth (all |β| > 0.1; all FDR-corrected P < .05). Blunted activation in reward-related brain regions may serve as a biomarker for disrupted reward processing and increased psychosis risk during development. PCE may affect childhood behaviors and traits related to altered reward sensitivity.

Mitigating rACEsm in K-12 Classrooms: The Consideration of Culturally-Informed Adverse Childhood Experiences and Utilization of Culturally Relevant Education and Systemically Trauma-Informed Practice

Forty-six percent of children in the United States experience a potentially traumatic event (PTE), also known as an Adverse Childhood Experience (or ACE), including abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), neglect, and/or household dysfunction (incarceration of a family member, parental mental illness, divorce, etc.) before their 18th birthday. In the United States, 61% of African-American youth experience at least one ACE (more than any other racial or ethnic group), compared with 40% of White children. A culturally informed conceptualization of the ACEs framework (C-ACEs) that considers the effects of historical trauma, racist social conditions, and race-based biological stress on African-American youth is essential. This is particularly important in K-12 Educational institutions for two reasons: (1) Schools are a major environment in which African-American youth are exposed to racial trauma via teachers, peers, policies, and practices within the school itself; (2) Popularity of the “trauma-informed” movement in schools that overemphasizes and overuses the existing ACEs framework (i.e., a “neoliberal biomedical trauma model”) and does not consider larger systems that cause and perpetuate trauma (p. 105). Further, it is essential to review how school teachers, administrators, and staff can amalgamate Systemically Trauma-Informed Practice (SysTIP) with Culturally Relevant Education (CRE) to increase education equity, reduce the trauma of racism experienced within educational spaces, and help ensure that African-American students succeed academically and personally.

Gender Identity and Its Influence on Social Support Networks among LGBTQ+ youth in New Zealand

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the gender identity and its influence on social support networks among LGBTQ+ youth in New Zealand. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Research on gender identity and its influence on social support networks among LGBTQ+ youth in New Zealand highlights that individuals with diverse gender identities often face unique challenges in accessing and maintaining supportive relationships. Findings indicate that LGBTQ+ youth experience varying levels of support based on their gender identity, with those who identify as non-binary or transgender sometimes facing more barriers compared to their cisgender or gay/lesbian peers. Social support networks play a crucial role in providing emotional and practical assistance, but the quality and availability of these network Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social identity theory, minority stress theory &amp; ecological systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on gender identity and its influence on social support networks among LGBTQ+ youth in New Zealand. Implement educational programs for families to foster understanding, acceptance, and support for transgender and non-binary youth. Advocate for and implement comprehensive anti-bullying and inclusivity policies in schools that protect LGBTQ+ students. Policies should mandate the creation of safe spaces and support groups within educational institutions.

Health Needs Assessment of Unhoused Youth in Charleston, South Carolina.

Over 35000 youth experience homelessness on any given night in the United States (US). Unhoused youth experience unique physical and mental health challenges and face barriers in every social determinant of health (SDoH), which may be amplified in the LGBTQ+population. The objective of this study was to define characteristics of the unhoused youth population and their utilization of healthcare to inform programs to meet their needs. Secondary analysis of data from the College of Charleston's YOUth Count survey was conducted, focusing on health-related characteristics, challenges, healthcare utilization, and SDoH of youth aged 18 to 25 experiencing homelessness in Charleston, SC. Almost three-quarters of respondents (74.6%) reported mental health challenges and 35% reported physical health challenges. A significantly higher proportion of those who engaged in survival sex were LGBTQ+. More than half (68.4%) visited the emergency department (ED) and 29.3% were admitted to the hospital in the past 12months. Housing status, safety, food insecurity, sexual orientation, prior foster care, and survival sex were all significantly associated with ED utilization. Housing status and survival sex were significantly associated with hospital admission. Addressing SDoH is essential to improving health outcomes and healthcare utilization among unhoused youth, particularly in the LGBTQ+population.

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.

Creating a Culturally Safe Online Data Collection Instrument to Measure Vaccine Confidence Among Indigenous Youth: Indigenous Consensus Method.

Participating in surveys can shape the perception of participants related to the study topic. Administering a vaccine hesitancy questionnaire can have negative impacts on participants' vaccine confidence. This is particularly true for online and cross-cultural data collection because culturally safe health education to correct misinformation is typically not provided after the administration of an electronic survey. To create a culturally safe, online, COVID-19 vaccine confidence survey for Indigenous youth designed to collect authentic, culturally relevant data of their vaccine experiences, with a low risk of contributing to further vaccine confusion among participants. Using the Aboriginal Telehealth Knowledge Circle consensus method, a team of academics, health care providers, policy makers, and community partners reviewed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy surveys used in public health research, analyzed potential risks, and created a framework for electronic Indigenous vaccine confidence surveys as well as survey items. The framework for safer online survey items is based on 2 principles, a first do-no-harm approach and applying a strengths-based lens. Relevant survey domains identified in the process include sociodemographic information, participants' connection to their community, preferred sources for health information, vaccination uptake among family members and peers, as well as personal attitudes toward vaccines. A total of 44 survey items were developed, including 5 open-ended items to improve the authenticity of the data and the analysis of the experiences of Indigenous youth. Using an Indigenous consensus method, we have developed an online COVID-19 vaccine confidence survey with culturally relevant domains and reduced the risk of amplifying misinformation and negative impacts on vaccine confidence among Indigenous participants. Our approach can be adapted to other online survey development in collaboration with Indigenous communities.

Flipping the Narrative: A Unifying Framework for Juvenile Court-based Forensic Social Work Practice

Professional social workers are trained in multiple competencies and occupy various positions within the forensic landscape. Unified by a code of ethics that emphasizes social justice and the protection and empowerment of marginalized populations and a philosophical approach that recognizes the interplay of individual and environmental factors, social work leadership in youth justice policy and practice is vital. This article proposes a unifying framework for macro, mezzo, and micro court-based forensic social work practice in the 21st century that draws from post-modern critical social work theory. The lifelong negative impacts of court involvement for young people are well documented and contribute to persistent societal inequities. Pre-disposition court practices can mitigate or further harm court-involved youth. “Flipping the Narrative” is a culturally relevant practice framework for evaluating and designing youth court practices that recognize the intersectionality of the identities and experiences of court-involved youth. The proposed framework incorporates the practical implications of Critical Theory, specifically Critical Race Theory, the Theory of African American Offending, and Queer Theory, and relevant practice approaches, such as Social Justice Youth Development and Narrative Therapy, to analyze current youth court practices, propose areas for further evaluation and innovation, and recommend practice enhancements for defense-based forensic social workers. The urgency for innovation in one New England state is illustrated through a case study.

Trajectories of adolescents living with vertical transmission-HIV virus.

This study analyzes the life stories of eight young people living with vertically transmitted HIV in order to understand their perceptions marked by secrecy and silence regarding their experiences with the virus. Conducted at a specialized outpatient clinic in Rio de Janeiro, the study adopted circle dance, a Complementary and Integrative Health Practice, as a care tool. Using a qualitative approach and Life History as a data collection method, the focus was to understand the youth's experiences related to the disease and the crucial aspects of their lives. Three girls and five boys participated in the study, all aware of their diagnosis. The principal emerging themes included family dynamics, school environment connection, challenges in treatment adherence, age at the time of diagnosis disclosure, and time elapsed since then. Analyzing these young people's narratives allowed us to explore individual and social aspects of their experiences, revealing their similarities and differences. The circle dance workshops provided a playful space for expressing emotions and feelings through body movements, expanding young people's perspectives on the future.

A qualitative study exploring ethnic youth experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities: a case example with African heritage youth living in Aotearoa/New Zealand

ABSTRACT This article discusses the challenges that African heritage youth 1 face as they navigate their African-ness and Kiwi-ness in the Aotearoa/New Zealand context. Data were drawn from a qualitative study guided by participatory action research (PAR) methodology principles exploring the opportunities and challenges these youth face while navigating their multiple cultural identities. The study used research workshops and anonymous qualitative questionnaire surveys to engage with 35 youth from African communities. PAR’s transformative lens, narrative inquiry, and inductive thematic analysis were used to identify the challenges reported in this paper. Findings show that cultural identity confers a sense of personhood and belonging. African heritage youth born or migrated to Aotearoa/New Zealand at a young age have a strong desire to express and authentically live their African-ness, Kiwi-ness, and other cultural identities. However, this is challenged by the personal, community, and societal factors explained in this paper. The findings of this research contribute towards a greater understanding of the threats to well-being linked to cultural identity construction among African youth in Aotearoa. It also makes a methodological contribution, demonstrating a transformative approach to engaging marginalized or minority groups in a research process that validates their experiences and empowers them.

#Studytalk in marketised higher education: student influencers as emerging support providers

ABSTRACT Within the marketised higher education context, where traditional support systems are strained, student influencers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have emerged as unexpected providers of academic and emotional support for their peers. Utilising a Foucauldian framework and drawing on 13 in-depth interviews with UK-based #studytalk creators, this study investigates the construction of student influencer subjectivity and their strategies for navigating this complex space. Findings reveal how these individuals leverage their success as academically high-achieving students and digital acumen to build legitimacy, negotiate ethical boundaries within the influencer market, and even resist the pervasive toxicity of certain study cultures. We show that these students do not just thrive to be influencers, but they engage with forms of ethical reflection to set certain parameters for their practice. Through this analysis, we contribute to a nuanced understanding of how students negotiate support and self-making in a marketised context while offering theoretical insights into the subjectification processes within the burgeoning influencer economy. By doing so, the article extends the dominant scholarly understandings of student support that often position support provision as the domain of universities. Instead, the findings show that students themselves are highly resourceful in developing and delivering peer support, and their practices intersect with wider student and youth experiences in the digital age.

Art, AI and Robotics: A New Pathway for Youth to Voice and Identity

To address the critical lack of representation in computer science and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics), we designed learning experiences for high school youth using culturally situated art and design principles structured to increase authentic engagement, particularly for underrepresented and underestimated youth. Referencing sociocultural practices from hip-hop, we invited students to engage with us in an iterative process of storytelling, creation, and fabrication. Through design cyphers, we centered student knowledge to define the why behind making robotic prototypes and address the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence such as bias and stereotypes. By integrating cyphers into the design thinking process, we created spaces for students to communicate, collaborate, and create innovative solutions to prototype, iterate, remix, and advance to their final project. In collaborative peer reviews and gallery walks, the groups received constructive critiques at each step of the design process, from prototype to final project.

Intersectional Social Support: Gender, Race, and LGBTQ Youth Friendships

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth experience disproportionate mental health challenges due to minority stress. Little research, however, has considered how social support from intragenerational friends impacts the mental health of LGBTQ youth, particularly for LGBTQ youth of color. Based mainly on qualitative interviews from a longitudinal study with 83 LGBTQ youth from California and Texas, we develop the concept of intersectional social support—how multiply marginalized individuals subjectively interpret social support and how they view social support from similar multiply marginalized others. More specifically, the findings of this study capture how the intersecting identities of age, sexuality, gender, and race can shape the meanings and experiences of receiving familial support, emotional support, informational support, and instrumental support. This study is an important contribution to understanding how intersecting identities influence how people perceive social support practices and manage their mental health.

Parents’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of the Transportation Experiences of Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Enhancing transportation skills is crucial in promoting quality of life for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To learn about transportation skill development and improve the transportation experiences of youth with IDD in China, we conducted in-depth interviews with special education teachers and parents of transition-age youth with IDD (i.e., 23 teachers and 19 parents) from five major cities in China. The purpose of this study was to explore the transportation experiences of youth with IDD through parents’ and teachers’ perspectives. Adopting the constructivist grounded theory method, three main themes were identified: (1) the need to develop transportation skills, (2) the practices for supporting transportation, and (3) the challenges of transportation for youth with IDD in China. The findings ascertain the importance of travel training to promote community inclusion of transition-age youth with IDD and disclose the helpful practices and existing barriers for improving youth’s transportation skills. Limitations and implications for research, policy, and practice are also described.