Youth

Historically, society has labeled social communication differences in autistic individuals as disordered by comparing them to the social communication behaviors of the predominant non-autistic population. This study explores how autistic young adults view their social communication experiences and how their differences impact them when navigating social situations in predominantly non-autistic environments. This qualitative study utilized purposive sampling to recruit 15 autistic adults aged 18–28 in the United States. All participants were conversation-level speaking communicators and high school graduates. Each participant engaged in an individual semi-structured, conversational interview with the first author via Zoom video conferences between November 2019 and June 2020. The data analysis identified inductive themes through interpretive phenomenological analysis. Five major themes emerged from the data that captured the challenges of autistic adults: (a) “Communication definitely is a struggle at times”, (b) “if it’s a very comfortable situation, then it’s fine”, (c) my communication style has “been very misunderstood”, (d) “I have to learn people”, and (e) “we’re all human. Autistic too, we’re still human”. The participants’ experiences suggest that differences in their communication style and social behavior resulted in overwhelming feelings of uncertainty and marginalization as they put great effort into engaging with non-autistic individuals. Full article

Resilience research is concerned with studying the complex interplay of personal and ecological resources that promote positive adaptation following adversity in different populations. Although much research has investigated adjustment in young persons exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), most of this research has taken a deficit approach by focusing on the negative cascades of effects that exposure to IPV has on the functioning of this group. In this paper, we discuss a mixed methods integration of two independent strength-based or resilience-focused studies involving Canadian youth exposed to IPV. Study 1 is a qualitative constructive grounded theory study that aimed to identify the coping strategies that youth exposed to IPV use to effectively cope with the traumatic experience of growing up in an IPV-affected family. This study included 13 youths with a history of IPV exposure who completed individual in-depth interviews, the drawing of ecomaps, and photovoice projects. Study 2 is a quantitative population-based study that aimed to identify profiles of adjustment in a cohort of 3886 youth who had previously experienced IPV exposure, as well as the specific risk and promotive factors that significantly predicted membership in the identified adjustment profiles. Both studies independently identified personal and ecological resources that were instrumental in supporting the resilience of study participants. By comparing and contrasting the two sets of findings, the present mixed methods integration provides further evidence on the complex interactions of mechanisms that promote positive adaptation in youth exposed to IPV, which aligns with a multisystemic understanding of resilience in this population. We provided recommendations for practice and policy based on the integrated findings. Full article

(1) Background: Youths with multiple risks and severe disadvantages experience poorer health and educational outcomes than less disadvantaged peers. To address problems with coping and self-regulation in this group, mental skills training (MST) approaches more commonly used in sport are an emerging intervention approach. (2) Methods and results: this narrative review synthesizes literature to explain the need for MST, how it works, and evidence to support it works by focusing on two well evaluated programs: LifeMatters and My Strengths Training for Life™. (3) Conclusions: To support positive youth development, MST is a strengths-based, flexible, and adaptable approach to help fill the shortage of available evidence-based programs for those youths facing multiple disadvantages. The findings of this review may facilitate policy makers, commissioners, program planners, and researchers in the uptake of MST or similar psychoeducational approaches in future. Full article

In child and adolescent inpatient, residential and day-treatment facilities, the use of physical restraints and the occurrence of critical incidents are a significant problem. Restraints may sometimes be necessary if a child exhibits dangerous aggressive behavior, but may also be misused or overused, and have been shown to be preventable in many cases. This study aims to investigate if the implementation of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) has an effect on the annual number of physical restraint incidents in a residential treatment facility for children with complex mental health disorders. Data before and after NMT implementation were collected from the agency’s restraint records. The results showed that post-NMT implementation, there was a substantial and sustained reduction in restraint incidents, with a Cohen’s d value of 2.03, indicating a very large effect. Limiting restraint use in treating children with complex mental health disorders can foster a safer and more therapeutic environment, with potential improvements in treatment outcomes. This study demonstrated a substantial drop in restraint incidents following the implementation of the Neurosequential Model in a residential facility for children aged 7–13. This reduction is presumably pivotal for children with complex mental health disorders, making treatment less coercive and offering promise for settings in which restraint incidents are a concern. Full article

Background: Children and young people’s (CYP) mental health is a policy priority, with rates of poor mental health reported to be as much as one in five across the UK. Traditional mental health support services cannot meet demand, and new approaches are needed. The creative arts can be an effective tool in supporting mental health. However, little is known about how live music can be used to support CYP mental health and wellbeing. We facilitated three, two-day intergenerational and multi-disciplinary workshops to co-produce ideas about how live music could be delivered to this end. Results: Workshops were held in three locations in Scotland, attended by a mixture of CYP, youth workers, mental health practitioners, teachers, and musicians (n = 91). A range of co-created solutions were generated including a live music festival designed for and with CYP and free gig tickets. Barriers and facilitators for CYP accessing live music were also identified. Furthermore, these workshops were found to increase confidence for musicians in delivering live music events to CYP, and CYP felt their voices were heard in their design of the delivery. Conclusions: This study presents novel co-created solutions about how live music can be delivered to CYP that need to be tried and tested in future research. It also provides key insights for musicians, live music providers, and people supporting CYP about the best approach to delivering live music for CYP. Full article

(1) Background: Migrant and refugee youth’s (MRY’s) sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs) are a global health issue. MRY encounter adverse SRH experiences due to limited access to and knowledge of SRHRs services. Using a socioecological framework, this study examined the barriers affecting MRY’s SRHRs. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study utilising a participatory action research design was used. A total of 87 MRY (ages 16–26, from 20 cultural groups within Greater Western Sydney, Australia) completed seventeen focus group discussions on their SRHRs experiences. The focus groups were co-facilitated by youth project liaisons to ensure their authenticity and validity. The data were analysed thematically and interpreted using socioecological theory. (3) Results: The findings identified socioecological barriers, a lack of awareness about and access to services, and sociocultural dissonance as leading to the under-implementation of SRHRs services. These barriers included cultural disconnects, language barriers, remote service locations, intergenerational cultural conflicts, and ineffective SRHRs services. The key themes identified included traditional and institutional stigma, lack of SRH education, reliance on social media for SRH information, and privacy concerns. (4) Conclusions: There is a limited consideration of MRY’s SRHRs and the impact of intergenerational discordance and stigma on MRY’s rights. The findings suggest the necessity for a collaborative SRHRs strategy and policy design that empowers MRY’s agency across multicultural contexts. Full article

This study of 18–24-year-old young adults (YAs) in Australia who use, or used to use, nicotine vape products (NVPs) sought to explore their experiences when attempting to quit vaping to understand the barriers and identify facilitators of cessation. We analysed data from a survey (n = 532) of 422 YAs who vape and 110 YAs who used to vape, as well as interactive workshops (n = 12) and semi-structured interviews (n = 3), which included 7 YAs using and 8 no longer using NVPs. Social Cognitive Theory informed the data collection, with open-ended questions exploring how personal, environmental and behavioural factors shaped vaping cessation. Qualitative analyses revealed 11 themes shaping vaping cessation, including the normalisation of vaping, easy access and a desire to fit in. Vaping cessation was complicated by using NVPs to manage symptoms of mental ill-health. Additionally, former vapers reported using combustibles to replace vaping, highlighting the risk of health impacts from smoking. Potential support sources included friends and general practitioners, or family doctors. Support service development must consider de-normalising vaping, addressing underlying mental health issues and providing effective campaigns around the health risks of vaping and smoking. The findings highlight the need to invest in vaping cessation, and they can inform the design of vaping cessation programs to better support those trying to quit and ensure the success of their quit attempts. Full article

(1) Background: In the face of global concerns regarding unhealthy lifestyles among youths, understanding dietary habits, physical activity, and weight management strategies among third-cycle students in Portugal becomes essential. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which middle school students adhere to the Mediterranean diet and assess their physical activity habits and overall weight perceptions. (2) Methods: This study is a cross-sectional observational study. Using self-reported data from a sample of 232 students aged between 12 and 18, this study delved into their dietary patterns, engagement in physical activities, perceptions of weight, and weight management approaches, measured by the KIDMED and YRB questionnaires. (3) The results demonstrated that adolescents engaged in a varied diet, and 65.5% had recently engaged in physical activity. However, 25% reported exercise-related injuries, suggesting potential safety gaps. Extreme weight management practices were minimal, but a disparity in weight perception and weight loss desire emerged, hinting at underlying societal and media influences. Gender differences in certain habits were minimal. (4) Conclusions: While students were generally inclined towards healthy habits, there are evident areas of concern, particularly regarding safety in physical activities and weight perceptions. In the future, interventions should be implemented to increase students’ literacy and raise awareness of the Mediterranean diet and physical well-being. Full article

Background and Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with multiple adverse outcomes, including adolescent dating violence (ADV). ADV is a serious public health issue, with the U.S. rates ranging from 6.4% to 73% for victimization across all types and from 11% to 77% for perpetration. Given the high prevalence of ADV and the fact that it has been frequently linked with ACEs earlier in life, it is crucial to thoroughly understand this relation and apply this information to prevention and intervention efforts. However, to date, there are no known reviews synthesizing the link between ACEs and ADV, nor exploring which ACEs have been included across other studies. Methods: To address these gaps, this study included three comprehensive searches to identify the following: (1) the measurement tools used to measure ACEs; (2) the type of ACEs significantly linked with ADV; and (3) the risk and protective factors considered in this relation. Results: A total of 34 studies were included. There were 24 different assessment tools used to measure the ACEs of adolescents, with the number of ACEs included ranging from 1 to 93. All but one study linked at least one ACE to ADV. The types of ACEs linked with ADV consisted of victimization (e.g., child abuse and bullying), witnessing violence (i.e., home and school), and household dysfunction (e.g., caregiver substance abuse). Several risk and protective factors were considered. Conclusions/Implications: This study found the measurement of ACEs in the literature to be inconsistent, making it difficult to synthesize and compare the findings across studies. Despite the measurement inconsistencies, however, most studies linked ACEs with ADV, emphasizing the importance of considering this relation in prevention/intervention programming. Full article

College is an important context for young adults to cultivate developmental assets, solidify vocational plans, and nurture meaningful relationships. National data from Gallup have highlighted key experiences that positively impact a student’s experience while at college and their life after graduation. These “Big Six” experiences, including relationships with faculty and mentors and participation in high-impact practices, predict student success. Similarly, both theory and research underscore the importance of relationships, active engagement, and exploration in cultivating purpose and long-term aims. Little work has examined the cumulative and relative value of the “Big Six” experiences in explaining purpose development in college. The present cross-sectional and exploratory study sought to address this gap. Specifically, this study utilized hierarchical linear regression to examine the impact of different experiences and relationships on college student purpose at a small, liberal arts university in the Southeast region of the United States (n = 758). The results indicated that a greater number of “Big Six” experiences were predictive of a stronger purpose. Furthermore, experiences centered on relationships mattered relatively more in fostering purpose among college students than participation in high-impact practices. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature and recommendations for higher-education institutions are made. Full article

Pregnancy termination, also referred to as abortion, is a contentious subject in many countries. Uganda’s culture requires young people to remain celibate; they therefore suffer from restricted access to any sexual and reproductive health information, products, and services, including contraceptives. Girls who are pregnant in Uganda are oppressed in various ways, including being expelled from school. Since abortion is illegal under Ugandan law, those abortions that take place are assumed to have a high risk of being unsafe. Most previous studies in the African context have thus focused on the phenomenon of unsafe abortion. Adolescent abortion is characterized by a rhetoric of pathology that frames girls as victims of deadly unsafe abortion practices. This paper aims to critique the view that pregnant adolescent girls are merely vulnerable victims who passively accept the denial of SRH services, including abortion. We analyzed the life histories of 14 girls in Uganda who had undergone pregnancy termination. Our findings showed that adolescent girls are not passive victims of the structural barriers to abortion. They use their agency to obtain knowledge, make decisions, successfully terminate pregnancy, and conceal the information as needed. It is therefore important for policymakers to acknowledge the agency of adolescent girls in regard to pregnancy termination and how this recognition could be of benefit in terms of devising appropriate supports for them. Full article

This study examined how household chaos, perceived stress, and their interaction are related to borderline personality disorder (BPD) features both cross-sectionally and at 1-year follow-up in outpatient youth. Data from 143 youth were analysed. Their mean age was 18.72 years (SD = 2.98) and 80.4% self-identified as female. The results indicated that both perceived stress and household chaos were positively associated with BPD features at baseline. Additionally, the link between perceived stress and BPD features was slightly stronger in youth with more household chaos. The associations were not maintained in the longitudinal analyses. The discrepancy between the cross-sectional and longitudinal findings suggests that household chaos and perceived stress might be intertwined with BPD features, rather than predictive of change in BPD features over time. Full article

While there is significant research on the impact of food insecurity, there is less so through the lens of young people and the youth work response. Therefore, this research presents findings from a small-scale United Kingdom-based study asking what are young people’s and youth workers perceptions of food insecurity and the youth work response. Focus group research methodology was adopted. The research recognised that food insecurity is part of a wider issue of poverty and inequality, and we explored how this is perceived by young people and youth workers at the Personal, Cultural, and Structural levels whilst also situating issues of food insecurity in the global context. Themes of togetherness, relationship, otherness, disempowerment, and learning were identified as key components in the youth work response to food insecurity. A number of recommendations are made, including the importance of highlighting the power of youth work in responding to young people experiencing food insecurity. The youth work approach has application to all professions working to challenge issues of food insecurity and social injustice. Full article

Adolescence is a developmental period of significant change and increasing independence, during which parents and caregivers play a critical role guiding their teen toward adulthood. Parents of adolescents with disability face heightened challenges managing their teens’ growing independence and shift to adult-based services across health, recreation, and employment. Using a mixed-methods-treatment-group-only design, this study explored the implementation and outcomes of a program designed to build parenting capacity to support their adolescent with disability. Parents enrolled in one of ten groups were invited to attend three sessions covering content tailored to adolescent development including post-school opportunities, financial support, risk-taking and decision-making, future planning, relationships, and mental health. Surveys were administered pre-program, post-program, and six months after program participation (n = 160) to measure intervention outcomes including parenting self-efficacy, self-advocacy, adolescent self-advocacy, parent confidence to support their adolescent’s growing independence, confidence to support their adolescent through sensitive developmental stages, parental hopes and aspirations, and parental empowerment. A subset of parents (n = 11) also participated in semi-structured interviews about the program’s acceptability and usefulness, and their satisfaction with the program content and delivery. All outcome variables except parent hopes and aspirations increased significantly from pre- to post-program. Parent self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and parental empowerment remained higher 6 months after program completion. Thematic analysis identified program strengths as the co-facilitation model of program delivery, practical and actionable content, the use of narratives and the facilitator’s lived experience as parents of adolescents with disability, the use of visualizations (video, pictures, diagrams), and the service provider’s trusted reputation and credibility. In conclusion, an online co-facilitated group program for parents of adolescents with disability can contribute to positive change for families by improving parent confidence, self-advocacy, and parental empowerment. Full article

Parents’ contributions to their children’s emotion regulation during adolescence has been a relatively understudied interpersonal context of development, even though parents’ roles as sources of social and emotional learning persist from childhood into adolescence and the complexity of teens’ lives grows during this time. This study aims to investigate the differential predictive utility of qualities and behaviors in interparental and parent–teen relationships during adolescence for predicting youths’ development of intra- and interpersonal emotion regulation over a 13-year period. To assess these hypotheses, data were obtained from a longitudinal, multi-method, multi-informant study of 184 adolescents (107 Caucasian, 53 African American, and 24 mixed/other ethnicity; median family income of USD 40,000–60,000/year in 1999, equivalent to about USD 75,000–112,000/year when accounting for inflation) and their parents. The results provide support for a differential pattern of prediction; qualities of interparental relationships in early adolescence were significant predictors of young adult interpersonal emotion regulation, whereas behaviors in interparental and parent–teen relationships in late adolescence were significant predictors of both young adult positive intra- and interpersonal emotion regulation. Notably, some father-reported relationship predictors during late adolescence had unexpected relations with later intrapersonal emotion regulation. The results are discussed in terms of the helpfulness of these specific relationship factors during each part of adolescence for supporting positive intra- and interpersonal emotional regulation development. Full article

The present study examined the moderating role of maternal and paternal behaviors on the association between ADHD symptoms and antisocial behavior. The data are from a Swedish community-based study with 2886 adolescent participants, aged 13–15. We analyzed the adolescents’ self-reports of negative and positive parental behavior, ADHD symptoms, and antisocial behavior. Results show that ADHD symptoms significantly predicted levels of antisocial behavior in both maternal- and paternal-moderated regression models. Also, several significant interaction effects emerged. Fathers’ attempted understanding and mothers’ warmth significantly buffered the association with antisocial behavior. In turn, mothers’ negative behaviors—both coldness and rejection and angry outbursts—significantly enhanced the association with antisocial behavior, whereas only fathers’ angry outbursts emerged as a significant moderator. Thus, there is support for differential effects of maternal and paternal behavior on the association between ADHD symptoms and adolescent antisocial behavior. Full article

In this paper, it is argued that we are in a ‘postpaternalist’ era for children’s rights, involving grassroots action from children (for the first time, on a global scale) rather than well-meaning adults ‘giving’ children their rights. Child/youth climate action has involved under-18s acting for the environment through grassroots protest, media work and lobbying. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has arguably to date been approached in a paternalist way, whereby children need adults to help them to access rights. Yet, child/youth climate advocates have taken their own action, and demand equality as they enter rights spaces. They are frequently working with adults as equals and allies in litigating climate cases, for example. It is argued that (although there are rights challenges in a postpaternalist time) these young rights leaders have transformed human rights for the better, and adults should facilitate their work in a way that is child- and youth-friendly. Full article

The stigma experienced by LGBTQIA+ youth in middle school and high school is commonly linked to poor mental health and academic success, but little is known about its potential long-term impact. It was hypothesized that stigma levels would differ based on geographical location, with rural youth experiencing higher stigma levels compared to urban youth. This IRB-approved exempt research design collected anonymous survey data from college students at a mid-south public university. The sample included a total of 94 respondents, with 63 from rural areas and 31 from urban areas. Experiences of internalized, enacted, and perceived stigma were assessed with rating scales. No statistically significant differences were found between rural and urban youth, with both groups reporting high levels of internalized, enacted, and perceived stigma. Rural youth reported experiencing more discrimination or attacks at school and fewer LGBTQIA+ school resources but slightly higher family support. Urban youth were more likely to be out to family members and felt safer at school. Comparatively, more rural youth reported experiencing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in the past 30 days than urban youth. A moderate correlation was found between perceived and internalized stigma. This study provides insight into the pervasive nature of LGBTQIA+ stigma, regardless of geographical location. Full article

Family characteristics and service barriers influence children’s access to health and social care. Systematic assessment of family service barriers may help practitioners in their efforts to support family engagement with needed services. To address this need, this study utilized data from a 12-week service navigation intervention to examine associations between family characteristics, service barriers, service need, and service access. Twenty-nine caregivers of youth under age 18 participated. Pre-test measures included a family demographic questionnaire, service barriers checklist, and family service plan. Post-test outcome measures were the type and number of services accessed in the family service plan. At baseline, participants reported an average of 10 barriers to care. The family characteristics, caregiver age, child age, and community group involvement, were associated with a greater number of service barriers. Over the course of the intervention, the service barrier “provider waitlists” was associated with an increased service access, while having a male child was associated with a decrease in service access. Results indicate families experience multiple service barriers and specific family characteristics influence service access. Systematic assessment of service barriers and consideration of family characteristics can assist practitioner efforts to support youth and family engagement with health and social care. Full article