Youth Perceptions Research Articles

Perceptions of youth internalizing symptoms: Cross-cultural comparisons between Taiwanese and U.S. mothers.

This study was designed to examine how cultural values affected mothers' perceptions of internalizing symptoms in youth, comparing Taiwanese and U.S. samples. We hypothesized that mothers' self-reported East Asian cultural values (e.g., conformity, emotional self-control, face culture) would mediate the relationship between their country of residence and perceptions of youth's depressed mood and anhedonia. Participants were 310 mothers from the United States and 294 mothers from Taiwan. All participants responded to questions regarding their adherence to specific East Asian cultural values. Four brief vignettes about a male adolescent experiencing internalizing symptoms were presented to all participants. After reading each vignette, participants rated their perceptions of the adolescent's symptoms. Results from a series of multilevel structural equation models indicated that Taiwan mothers reported more East Asian cultural values (conformity, emotional self-control, face culture) compared to U.S. mothers, which in turn led to rating youth internalizing problems as less acceptable, more impairing, and more problematic to the family, and feeling less proud and more ashamed of the youth. There was also an inconsistent mediation effect of East Asian cultural values on the relationship between country and rating of anhedonia. The mediation pathway was non-significant for the rating of depressed mood. In conclusion, to improve cultural understanding, researchers and clinicians should consider the driving force of the observed between-group differences to ensure appropriate conceptual frameworks in a cross-cultural context. Cross-cultural differences in ratings of youth symptoms highlight the importance of a culturally sensitive approach to assessing symptoms and functional impairment in different cultural groups.

Unveiling Urban River Visual Features Through Immersive Virtual Reality: Analyzing Youth Perceptions with UAV Panoramic Imagery

The visual evaluation and characteristic analysis of urban rivers are pivotal for advancing our understanding of urban waterscapes and their surrounding environments. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer significant advantages over traditional satellite remote sensing, including flexible aerial surveying, diverse perspectives, and high-resolution imagery. This study centers on the Haihe River, South Canal, and North Canal in Tianjin China, employing UAVs to capture continuous panoramic image data. Through immersive virtual reality (VR) technology, visual evaluations of these panoramic images were obtained from a cohort of young participants. These evaluations encompassed assessments of scenic beauty, color richness, vitality, and historical sense. Subsequently, computer vision techniques were utilized to quantitatively analyze the proportions of various landscape elements (e.g., trees, grass, buildings) within the images. Clustering analysis of visual evaluation results and semantic segmentation outcomes from different study points facilitated the effective identification and grouping of river visual features. The findings reveal significant differences in scenic beauty, color richness, and vitality among the Haihe River, South Canal, and North Canal, whereas the South and North Canals exhibited a limited sense of history. Six landscape elements—water bodies, buildings, trees, etc.—comprised over 90% of the images, forming the primary visual characteristics of the three rivers. Nonetheless, the uneven spatial distribution of these elements resulted in notable variations in the visual features of the rivers. This study demonstrates that the visual feature analysis method based on UAV panoramic images can achieve a quantitative evaluation of multi-scene urban 3D landscapes, thereby providing a robust scientific foundation for the optimization of urban river environments.

Investigating Youth Perception Towards Entrepreneurship In The North-West Province, South Africa

Investigating Youth Perception Towards Entrepreneurship In The North-West Province, South Africa

Association of Perceived Neighborhood Disorder with Substance Use Behaviors and Retail Access Among Southern California Adolescents.

Neighborhood disadvantage is associated with a higher concentration of tobacco, cannabis and alcohol retailers and greater risk of certain substance use behaviors among youth. Less is known about the impact of subjective neighborhood disorder, which captures distinct exposures that may be relevant to substance use outcomes, including neighborhood social processes, safety, physical characteristics, and neighborhood drug use. Data are from two waves (Feb-Dec 2022) of a prospective cohort of Southern California high school students (n = 2,139; mean[SD] age = 15.7.[0.6]). We examined associations of perceived neighborhood disorder at baseline with (a) perceived ease of purchase (continuous scale 0-100) for alcohol, cannabis, e-cigarettes, cigarettes, hookah, cigars/cigarillos, and oral nicotine at baseline and follow-up, and (b) repeated measures of past 6-month and past-30-day alcohol, vaped cannabis, smoked cannabis, cannabis edibles, e-cigarette, cigarette, cigarillo, hookah, and oral nicotine use. E-cigarettes were perceived to be the easiest product to purchase. Participants in the highest (vs. lowest) quartile of neighborhood disorder reported greater mean ease of purchasing scores for all products (mean difference range = 5.43 [95%CI: 1.64-9.21] for mint/menthol oral nicotine products to 9.40 [95%CI: 6.16-12.64] for hookah) and greater odds of e-cigarette, smoked cannabis, edibles, vaped THC, and alcohol use (odds ratio range = 1.52 [95%CI: 1.05 to 2.18] for past 6-month alcohol to 5.40 [95% CI: 3.46 to 8.42] for 30-day smoked cannabis). Interventions that shape youth perceptions of their neighborhood and reduce youth retail access in disadvantaged neighborhoods are needed and may help to prevent youth substance use.

Youth Engagement and Perceptions of the LGBTQ Community

This paper explores youth engagement and perceptions of the LGBTQ community. It delves into highlighting their attitudes toward LGBTQ rights and inclusion. The study has used a mixed-methods approach, where the data is collected from 30 participants aged 18-30 through online questionnaires, both quantitative and qualitative. The findings have been presented thematically. They indicate that while many young individuals support LGBTQ rights, there are gaps in awareness, especially regarding legal protections and policies. It was noted that social media is a dominant source of information for LGBTQ issues, while more structured educational resources were found to be less influential. Also the study reveals a significant level of ambivalence toward LGBTQ individuals, particularly within societal and cultural norms. Challenges faced by LGBTQ youth, including discrimination, mental health struggles, and social exclusion, were also identified.

The critical need for child and youth perceptions of active living in India: capturing context complexity in rural and urban regions.

The physical inactivity pandemic not only has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of children and youth, but it is also a key contributor to the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, particularly among low- and middle-income countries. The widespread effects of climate change, ranging from extreme weather events to worsening air quality, are exacerbating the physical inactivity pandemic, highlighting the need to undertake holistic interventions to address environmental barriers while promoting physical activity. Despite the potential benefits of active school transportation (AST) on physical activity and the environment, no study has examined the intersection between perceptions of AST, environmental perceptions, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children and youth in India from a child and youth perspective. As a part of this cross-sectional, observational study, digital survey links were administered to 1,042 children and youth aged 5 to 17 (50.3% boys; 49.7% girls). Participants were recruited from 41 schools across 28 rural and urban regions in India. Children and youth provided information on various sociodemographic factors, perceptions of crime and air pollution, and peer support factors. MVPA data were collected using an adapted version of the IPAQ short-form questionnaire. The overall sample was stratified by age, gender, and location, resulting in a total of seven multiple linear regression models to assess the association between AST and MVPA. Children and youth who engaged in AST were associated with higher MVPA than those who did not engage in AST (β=18.020, 95% CI [5.890 to 30.149], p=0.004), after adjusting for age, gender, and location. In contrast, perceptions of high crime in the neighbourhood (β=-21.921, CI [-36.195 to -7.647], p=0.003) and perceptions of air pollution (β=-12.472, CI [-23.797 to -1.147], p=0.031) were associated with lower MVPA. Moreover, having active friends was associated with higher MVPA (β=32.391, CI [9.264 to 55.518], p=0.006) than not having active friends. AST was significantly associated with higher MVPA in the boys, rural, and aged 13 to 17 models; however, this association was not statistically significant in the girls, urban, and aged 5 to 12 models. These findings highlight that promoting AST can potentially promote MVPA and contribute to mitigating the NCD burden among children and youth in India. Future policies and interventions should prioritize initiatives that promote AST, considering diverse sociodemographic factors, and addressing environmental challenges such as perceptions of crime and air pollution.

Determinants of Youth Participation in Community Development Projects in Limuru Subcounty, Kiambu County, Kenya

Government policy had been geared towards addressing youth unemployment and enhancing participation in development projects. However, the effect of youth involvement in community development projects had not been substantial, posing a challenge to the youth, government agencies, and the community at large. The study examined the determinants of youth participation in community development projects in Limuru subcounty. Specifically, it sought to determine the effects of socio-cultural factors, education level, information accessibility, and access to finance on youth participation in these projects. The study was underpinned by Arnstein’s theory of community participation. The descriptive research design targeted 38,410 youth in Limuru subcounty with a sample size of 395. Stratified sampling across five wards, proportionate sampling determined youths per ward. Simple random sampling selected participants. Data was collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Inferential statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis were utilized. Research in Limuru subcounty reveals that socio-cultural factors have both positive and insignificant effects on youth participation in community projects (β = 0.491, p = 0.110). Higher education levels positively and significantly impact youth involvement (β = 0.568, p = 0.000). Information accessibility plays a positive and significant role (β = 0.071, p = 0.110), along with access to finance (β = 0.568, p = 0.000).The study concludes that youth education level influences involvement in community projects. Awareness campaigns and advocacy programs are key in promoting youth involvement in community projects. The study recommends that community leaders and stakeholders should consider the effect of youth attitudes, perceptions and religious affiliations when designing and implementing development initiatives. County and national development programs should focus on promoting a positive attitude towards loans among the youth, while providing guidance on managing collateral and securing funding.

Short videos, big impact: How Chinese youth perceive and engage with news on short video platforms

In the contemporary media landscape in China, short video platforms (SVP) have emerged as significant news sources, especially among young audiences. Anchored in an understanding of news literacy as situated knowledge, this study investigates how Chinese youth (aged 13–18) perceive and engage with news content on these platforms. Based on qualitative interviews with 30 middle and high school students across five provinces in China, we found that 1) participants wanted short video news to be objective and straightforward, and felt that the affordances of short video platforms detract from these values; 2) they reported using news literacy skills when consuming short video news, but the strategies they shared were problematic; and 3) they were reluctant to engage with news content online and preferred to discuss it offline with people they trust. This study sheds light on the complex and often contradictory news consumption engagement and practices among Chinese youth on SVPs.

Этнокультурные особенности в представлениях о семье как ресурсе жизнеспособности у русской и бурятской молодежи

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective.</strong> Comparative analysis of representations about family as a resilience resource among Russian and Buryat youth (15 to 24 years old).<br><strong>Background.</strong> The influence of family on human resilience is mediated by cultural and ethnic contexts. A comparative analysis of the concepts of family as a resource of youth resilience, due to the families belonging to different cultures – more collectivist (Buryats) and more individualistic (Russians), will help to clarify the ethnocultural features of human resilience. <br><strong>Study </strong><strong>d</strong><strong>esign.</strong> A comparison was made of the concepts of family as a resource of resilience among Russian and Buryat respondents who support their resilience. <br><strong>Participants.</strong> 109 Russian and 98 Buryat university and college students. A total of 207 people. <br><strong>Measurements.</strong> The following were used: focus groups, a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Twenty Statements Test by M. Kuhn and T. McPartland, and the author's version of the "Unfinished Sentences" method. Based on the qualitative data from focus groups on the essence of human resilience and its components, 9 unfinished sentences were formulated and combined into 4 categories: "Resilience", "Family", "Values", and "Culture". For quantitative formalization of the qualitative data of respondents, the lexical base (<em>n</em> = 3921 for Buryats, <em>n</em> = 4124 for Russians) was processed using the Atlas.ti program (version 9.5.6) and subjected to comparative lexicographic content analysis with an assessment of word frequency. The results are visualized as word clouds. <br><strong>Results</strong>. The semantic core in the "Resilience" category is different: himself, ability for Russians; person, ability for Buryats. In the core of the "Family" category – person, child – for Russians; good, beloved – for Buryats. Respondents of both groups report the high importance of family. For Russians, family members are equal, there are negative characteristics of family, while for Buryats, family relationships are usually hierarchical, there are no negative characteristics. In the core of the "Values" category for Russians: family, life; family, friends – for Buryats. In the core of the "Culture" category: the word many, tradition for Russians; important, tradition for Buryats. Interest in folk traditions was revealed in both samples. For Russians, traditions are associated with family, for Buryats with the traditions of the nation. The statements show the opposition of "I" (for Russians) and "we" (for Buryats). <br><strong>Conclusion</strong>. The ideas about family as a resource of resilience among Russian and Buryat youth have ethnocultural features. They are determined by the fact that the Buryats belong to a more collectivist culture and the Russians to a more individualistic culture. Russian youth perceive family as a resource of resilience, which is aimed at: strengthening their ability to cope with difficulties independently and forming an "I" identity. For Buryat youth, family as a resource of resilience strengthens their “we” identity, which contributes to the development of “We” identity. The idea of the ethnocultural context of the family as a resource of youth resilience allow us to understand how the family support for the younger generation varies.</p>

Social cognitive influences associated with susceptibility to nicotine and tobacco use in youth in the ABCD Study.

Chronic use of nicotine and tobacco products (NTP) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Uptake is most common among youth and young adults but knowledge about effective prevention and intervention approaches is insufficient. The goal of the present study was to examine the impact of social cognitive factors on NTP risk over time among youth in the national ABCD cohort. Participants (n=11,880, 47.8% female) were 9-10 years old at baseline, and completed multiple assessments of NTP use and related cognitions over two years. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate concurrent and prospective associations between social cognitive factors (peer and parent NTP use and perceptions of peer approval and harms from e-cigarette use) and risk for NTP use. Participant NTP use was primarily of e-cigarettes. Higher levels of parental and especially peer NTP use were significant prospective predictors of greater risk of NTP use. Lower perceived harm from and higher peer approval of e-cigarette use were significant predictors of heightened current but not future NTP risk. Findings suggest that youth perceptions of peer NTP use is a key predictor of the likelihood of use and a potential target for interventions designed to prevent or reduce e-cigarette and other NTP use in youth. findings indicate that perceived peer use is a more powerful predictor of nicotine and tobacco product (NTP) use than cognitive factors or parental use, even at early ages when youth NTP use is uncommon. This suggests a need for additional early intervention targeting perceptions of and responding to peer NTP use.

Green Economy Innovation in Attracting Youth to Pond Fish Farming Profession

The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the effect of youth perceptions on interest in the fish farming profession mediated by green economy. The approach used in this research is a causal approach. The population in this study were village youth in Sungelebak, Sungegeneng Kec, Lamongan Kab. The sample in this study used simple random sampling with 100 respondents. The data collection technique in this study used a questionnaire technique. The data analysis technique in this study uses a quantitative approach using statistical analysis using the Auter Model Analysis test, Inner Model Analysis, and Hypothesis Test. Data processing in this study used the PLS (Partial Least Square) software program. The results of this study prove that directly youth perceptions and green economy have a significant effect on interest in the fish farming profession and indirectly green economy is able to mediate the effect of youth perceptions on interest in the fish farming profession. Highlights: Significant Relationships: Youth perceptions and green economy significantly influence interest in fish farming. Mediation Effect: Green economy acts as a mediator between youth perceptions and fish farming interest. Methodology: Utilized a causal approach with 100 respondents from Sungelebak village through questionnaires and PLS software. Keywords: Youth Perception, Green Economic, Interest in Fish Farming Profession

Pandemic perspectives from detained youth during COVID-19: Bridging the knowledge gap for future safeguards.

Despite the worsening health disparities among youth in detention during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been minimal exploration into the pandemic experiences of detained youth and opportunities for pandemic mitigation. This paper analyzes the perspectives of youth in detention on the pandemic, including the effect of the pandemic on their detention experience and their perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination. The study used purposive sampling to recruit 16 participants (aged 14-17 years) from two juvenile detention centers in the urban Midwest. We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed verbatim transcripts using a hybrid deductive-inductive approach and thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: 1) personal experience influenced youth perceptions of pandemic severity and risk; 2) distrust and misconceptions contributed to youth vaccine hesitancy or refusal; 3) desired opportunities and parental opinion motivated youth to get the COVID-19 vaccine; and 4) pandemic mitigation strategies negatively impacted youths' detention center experience. Study findings identify opportunities for detention centers to minimize the negative impacts of pandemic mitigation strategies on youth in detention, expand vaccination knowledge and uptake, and build trust to positively impact the health and wellbeing of detained youth currently and during future pandemics.

Community, Socialisation, and Empowerment in Cultural Game Jams with Youth Citizens

This paper examines social and collaborative elements of Cultural Game Jams developed and implemented in the large-scale Europe Horizon research and innovation project, EPIC-WE: Empowered Participation through Ideating Cultural Worlds and Environments (2023-2026). The project explores and develops transdisciplinary collaboration and co-creation across cultural heritage institutions, creative industries, higher education institutions, and youth citizens (ages 16-25) towards Cultural Game Jam interventions across three European sites: Óbidos (Portugal), Hilversum (Netherlands), and Aarhus (Denmark). The Cultural Game Jams are held at cultural heritage sites and are aimed towards value-sensitive game design and youth empowerment. This paper explores Cultural Game Jams as a potential format for enabling and developing youths’ empowered participation, communality, and cultural socialisation by analysing the first Cultural Game Jam (2024). Framed by a Design-Based Research methodology and guided by experimental and short-term ethnography and design experiments, the analyses draw from qualitative empirical material, e.g., interviews, participatory observations, field notes, and the Cultural Game Jam participants' reflective process and design documentation. The analyses illustrate how co-creating games within cultural heritage contexts can develop youth perceptions of community, cultural socialisation processes, and individual/collective empowerment. Furthermore, the paper offers insights into the co-creation of games as new expressions of cultural heritage through epistemic collaboration and cultural participation in game jams while discussing possibilities for enabling new experiences of empowered participation, social learning, and community among youth citizens.

Youth perceptions of electronic suicide screening in the pediatric emergency department.

Youth perceptions of electronic suicide screening in the pediatric emergency department.

Empowering Unvaccinated Youth: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of a COVID-19 Serious Game-Based Intervention.

Objective: To evaluate a serious game-based intervention's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in encouraging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination among 11-14-year-olds in the United States and assess participant experiences. Materials and Methods: The study, grounded in social cognitive theory and health belief model, recruited and engaged 32 English-speaking parent-child dyads with unvaccinated youths via snowball sampling and social media outreach. These dyads were randomly assigned to either the COVID-19 serious game-based intervention group (n = 16) or a usual caregroup (n = 16). The study measured beliefs, self-efficacy, and intentions regarding vaccination using surveys before and after the intervention, with follow-up at 2 months to evaluate vaccine uptake. Semistructured interviews provided insights into the gaming experience and study process. Results: All 32 eligible parent-youth dyads (16 in each group) completed the study with full participation. Most participants were Black or African American fathers, making up 75% and 81.3% of the intervention and control groups, respectively. The intervention impacted vaccine uptake, with 75% of the intervention group vaccinating their children compared with 37.5% of the control group [χ2(1, n = 32) = 4.57, P = 0.033]. Key factors for vaccine uptake included parents' motivation and youths' perceived susceptibility, with correlations of r(30) = 0.66, P = 0.006, and r(30) = 0.55, P = 0.029, respectively. The intervention reshaped youth perceptions about self and community protection. Participants expressed overall satisfaction with both the intervention and the study process. Conclusions: The intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable, with potential for integration into youth vaccination strategies to support COVID-19 vaccine decision-making.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES ON FAMILY PERCEPTIONS AMONG YOUTH

In modern psychology, childhood trauma is recognized as a critical factor influencing personal development and mental health. Traumatic experiences disrupt a young individual's inner world, affecting their life trajectory and relationships. While these experiences can cause distress and reduce quality of life, they also have the potential to build resilience. Among youth, trauma frequently reshapes family perceptions, impacting trust, emotional bonds, and family dynamics. This article aims to explore the complex interplay between trauma and family perceptions, with implications for caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals. The study seeks to examine how traumatic childhood experiences influence youth perceptions of family dynamics, relationships, and values. By understanding these impacts, the study aims to provide insights into the role of family as a support system in fostering resilience and promoting trauma recovery among young people. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining theoretical analysis with empirical research involving 47 students from the National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic.” Data collection tools include the Traumatic Events Questionnaire, Eysenck’s Self-Assessment of Mental States, and the Childhood Trauma Presence Questionnaire. Quantitative data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data are examined through thematic analysis. A correctional-developmental training program, "The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Future Family Formation," is integrated to provide therapeutic intervention. The findings reveal that childhood trauma significantly impacts youth perceptions of family, often leading to heightened anxiety, frustration, and rigidity. Trauma was observed to affect family attachment and trust, with some youth perceiving their families as less supportive. Conversely, supportive family environments were shown to mitigate these negative effects, highlighting the protective role of positive family relationships in trauma recovery. The intervention program demonstrated potential in improving resilience and family perceptions among participants. The study underscores the importance of therapeutic programs that address the psychological effects of trauma on youth, with an emphasis on family-based interventions. By fostering resilience and supporting healthy family relationships, these interventions can help youth navigate the long-term impacts of trauma. Future research should explore the influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors on family perceptions and trauma recovery, to better inform intervention strategies across diverse populations.

Perception and barrier in access to sexual and reproductive health services among youth (aged 18-24) in Xiangkhuang province: A mixed-method study study

Background: Sexual activity during youthful age is common in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. However, youth insufficiently use the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and subsequently suffer from poor sexual and reproductive health. To stimulate evidence-informed decision-making in health policies, context specific research describing the barriers preventing Lao youth from accessing sexual and reproductive health services is needed. Objectives: To explore the barriers in access to sexual and reproductive health services among unmarried young people in Laos. Methods: Mixed methods were employed to conduct this study in Xiangkhuang province with 444 youths. Face-to-face interviews using questionnaires classified accessibility as geographical (availability), affordability, and approachability, acceptability, and appropriateness. IDIs and FGDs were used to investigate cognitive, psychosocial, and geographic accessibility, affordability, and SRH service quality. Data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. Univariable and multivariable analysis identified predictors of total accessibility, reported as Adjusted OR with a 95% CI and P-value < 0.05. Results: The results found the mean age of the participants with 19.9 years and 68.6% were female,66.9% of them stayed in urban area, 79.9% were Lao, and 93.5% were single. More than half of the participants had poor level of perception toward accessibility of SRH services (51.4%), and 55.1% encountered barriers, highlighting significant challenges in accessing essential services. In multivariable analysis, spiritual individuals had lower odds in perceiving SRH as accessible than Buddhists (AOR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.7, p = 0.004), but no significant difference existed among Christians. Those earning over 1,500,000 LAK were more likely to perceive SRH as accessible than those below this threshold (AOR = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.0-7.0, p = 0.041). Additionally, individuals with sexual experience had higher odds of seeing SRH as accessible compared to unexperienced (AOR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.2-3.1, p = 0.006). Conclusion: The study on youth's perception and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services revealed unique challenges, including Lao ethnicity and Buddhism, financial obstacles, and family influence. The study suggested that targeted interventions should focus on culturally sensitive service delivery, addressing financial barriers, promoting education, and improving internet access to enhance accessibility and overall well-being among youth populations.

东盟中文学习者画作中的中文教师角色：基于隐喻的分析

<p>With the implementation and promotion of the "Belt and Road" initiative, economic and trade cooperation and humanistic exchanges between China and ASEAN are going deeper, and Chinese language education in ASEAN has shown a booming development. As a core participant of international Chinese language education in the region, the role of Chinese language teachers is an important conceptual source of ASEAN youth's perception of China, which has a crucial impact on Chinese language learners. Based on the creation of visual metaphors, this study uses the teacher metaphor analysis framework to summarize the ASEAN Chinese teacher role metaphor categories and explore the ASEAN Chinese teacher traits from the learners' perspective. We selected 60 graphic works created by ASEAN Chinese learners as the research material, extracted 31 Chinese teacher role metaphors, and delineated six metaphorical conceptual categories. This study aims to arouse the attention of international Chinese teacher educators, social organizations, and Chinese teachers themselves to the developmental changes of Chinese teacher roles, and to provide a reference for the professional development of international Chinese teachers.</p>

AUTISM AWARENESS ON TIKTOK: IMPACT ON YOUTH PERCEPTIONS

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a wide range of conditions characterised by varying degrees of challenges with social interaction and communication. Meanwhile, TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to share short videos. The purpose of this study is to measure the level of youth’s awareness towards autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on TikTok and to reduce stigma towards autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among youth. The study adopted magic bullet theory as the basis for developing its model. A total of 408 respondents, comprising multi-ethnic Malaysian youth between the ages of 15-40 who have exposure to social media usage, participated through an online questionnaire distributed to them. Both convenience sampling and purposive sampling were integrated for data collection. Manual analysis was done to analyze the collected research data. The main findings of the study showed that exposure to autism awareness content on TikTok has emerged as a powerful catalyst in transforming youths’ attitudes toward autism. Overall, this study revealed that TikTok could be used as an effective tool to spread awareness and change the stigma or negative perception of youth towards ASD issues.

Political disaffection or institutional adultcentrism? Youth perceptions of adult hegemony in institutional politics and policies

ABSTRACT The relationship between young people and public institutions has traditionally attracted a lot of attention. In particular, there has been much discussion about the idea of youth political disaffection. In recent years, the literature seems to agree that this disaffection of the new generations is fundamentally oriented towards the institutional political system. Studies on institutional disaffection have tended to look at the characteristics, transformations and situations experienced by young people themselves. However, the role that public institutions play in producing this distancing has hardly been examined. In this article, we aim to determine whether the theoretical tool of adultcentrism, as a hegemony that places young people in a peripheral position, helps us understand these processes. We use data from focus groups and participatory workshops in the city of Barcelona to analyse to what extent the distancing of young people from institutions is shaped by perceptions and discourses that assume or react to the marginal position that youth have in the institutional system. By basing this analysis on adultcentric forms of governance, we aim to understand both how such perspectives are constructed by young people through their interaction with institutions, and also how these perceptions become generalised discourses among youth.