Literature

A list of articles, books, and reports dealing with why you should—and how to—engage youth in grassroots activity.

Adult and group influences on participation in youth empowerment programs

A structural equation model was used to examine the relationship between adult involvement, group structure, group climate and collective participation for youth participation in Statewide Youth Movement Against Tobacco Use programs. Further research is required to determine why adult involvement did not have a meaningful direct effect on group factors or collective participation.

Children's participation : from tokenism to citizenship

Preface - Introduction - The meaning of children's participation - Manipulation and tokenism : models of nonparticipation - Models of genuine participation - Research with children - Play and work : the different realities in industrialized and developing countries - Children in especially difficult circumstances - Factors affecting children's ability to participate - The benefits of participation - Where to begin - References and further reading.

Community counts : how youth organizations matter for youth development

The author discusses effective youth-based organizations and outlines the benefits for youth who participate in them. Recommendations for community youth organizations, schools, funders and policymakers are included.

Conceptualizing youth empowerment within tobacco control

Presents the development of a conceptual framework for a national evaluation of the American Legacy Foundation's Statewide Youth Movement Against Tobacco Use program. From 2000-2003 a cross-site study of 17 programs and a case study of five programs were conducted.

Designing for diversity : incorporating cultural competence in prevention programs for urban youth

Prevention programs are only part of the approach to assist urban youth steer clear of the risks related with substance abuse. This chapter suggests an alternative program approach that places diversity with respect to class, culture, and environment at the central focus of prevention efforts.

e-PAR : using technology and participatory action research

Examines a model (e-PAR) using technology and participatory action research (PAR) for youth engagement in community health promotion. This model is meant for use with a group of youth collaborating with a facilitator within a youth organization. As well as describing the theoretical foundation of the e-PAR Model, this article summarizes how the model was created in conjunction with outcomes for research and practice.

Examination of the relationship between community support and tobacco control activities as a part of youth empowerment programs

The authors examine the relationship between community support for tobacco control and the nature of the tobacco control activities executed by youth groups. Group characteristics that affect support are discussed, as well as the role community support networks can play when a youth group is implementing a tobacco control program or activity.

Framing youth issues for public support

Outlines ways to garner public support for out-of-school learning opportunities and programs for youth ages 9-15 years. The development of a strategy to help program advocates communicate the value of their program to the community in order to gain support is discussed.

Intentional youth programs : taking theory to practice

Presents a theoretical framework that advocates the two main elements of an engaging youth program are an intentional ethos of youth development and an intentional strategy to design and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Also, uses hands-on examples from research and the community to describe program strategies for youth in early adolescence.

Lost in translation : (mis)understanding youth engagement : synthesis report

This report analyzes and expands upon six individual studies commissioned by Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) since it held a groundbreaking "National Youth Dialogue and Summit" in 2005. The central finding is that 'Generation Y' – those born after 1979 – is far from apathetical and apolitical. However, while very much tuned into small "p" political life, young Canadians are increasingly disenchanted with our formal political institutions and politics as currently practiced.

Re-focusing the lens : assessing the challenge of youth involvement in public policy

This report asserts that policy-makers should change how they view youth participating in public policy. It will examine through several case studies of local, national and international organizations of how youth have been successful and unsuccessful at influencing public policy, and offer key learnings about youth participating in public policy.

Social capital and health : civic engagement, community size, and recall of health messages

Examines the effect of community integration and pluralism on recall of cardiovascular disease health information messages. Better recall of health messages was associated with a higher level of civic engagement and ties to community groups. Community groups may be a vehicle for health promotion efforts.

The North Carolina Youth Empowerment Study (NCYES) : a participatory research study examining the impact of youth empowerment for tobacco use prevention

This article describes a study which measured youth tobacco prevention programs. The elements of prevention programs were analyzed in addition to youth’s role in instigating smoke free policies in schools. Methodology practices are reviewed and youth’s role in the policy process is explored.

Youth action guide : community-based smoking prevention

This guide is based on the learnings of five youth centres from across Ontario and directs the user through developing a youth tobacco action project. It is divided into important areas derived from four questions: Where are we going? How do we get there? How do we know when we have arrived? Where do we go next?

Youth engagement and health outcomes : is there a link?

This literature review summarizes and critically analyzes research showing an association between youth engagement and health outcomes. This review highlights the correlations between problems and youth engagement, as well as positive health and mental health, and how it relates with youth engagement. Research is grouped according to type of health outcome in relation to youth engagement.

Youth voices : a guide for youth expression and action

Developed for facilitators, agencies, and groups who want to facilitate organizational involvement by youth and/or connect youth with community action projects. The guide describes each of the six phases of the youth voices process, with appendices containing summaries of activities in greater detail.