scholarly journals Barriers to Youth Literacy: Sociological and Canadian Insights

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Tilleczek ◽  
Valerie Campbell
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Young People ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
High School Completion ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Youth Service ◽  
Multiple Contexts ◽  
Literacy Scores

This paper explores the barriers in youth literacy with qualitative interviews with 22 young people and 22 youth service providers from Prince Edward Island, Canada. It then compares these perspectives with a review of literatures on youth literacy. The paper outlines a sociological framework for the study of youth literacy that makes visible the complex cultural nests of youth within which becoming literate is negotiated.  Rather than relying solely on individual literacy scores as the only measure of if and to what level young people are literate in contemporary society, the study addressed how barriers  are encountered and negotiated. The findings show that barriers exist in multiple contexts in school, community and family and that they are not easily interpreted or predictable. Even high school completion does not guarantee literacy for some youth and both service providers and young people provide similar and disparate perspectives on barriers and possibilities for better support.

scholarly journals The Association between Family Structure Changes and High School Completion in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Annah Vimbai Bengesai ◽  
Nompumelelo Nzimande
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Young People ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Family Structure ◽  
National Income ◽  
High School Completion ◽  
Family Structures ◽  
School Completion ◽  
Using Data

Over the past few years, family structures have been dramatically transformed, yet limited research from South Africa has assessed the effect on children’s developmental outcomes. Using data from the National Income Dynamics Study, we aim to contribute to the literature by examining the relationship between family structure disruption and high school completion in South Africa. Our sample consisted of 1649 young people who were aged 12, 13 and 14 in 2008 and their educational attainment was tracked through to 2017. The results from the logistic regression analysis demonstrate that family structure disruption is negatively associated with high school completion. After controlling for variation in household income change, the child’s educational factors and socio-demographic controls, young people who experienced a change from a co-resident family or were in stable non-resident parent family structures were up to 50% less likely to complete high school relative to those from undisrupted co-resident parent family structures. Given that family structure disruption is a widespread phenomenon in South Africa, research should consider it as a key determinant of educational attainment and policymakers should come up with holistic interventions to support families as well as allocate public resources in ways that can help reduce educational inequalities.

scholarly journals Eating disorder services for young people in Ireland: perspectives of service providers, service users and the general adolescent population

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. McNicholas ◽  
C. O’Connor ◽  
N. McNamara ◽  
L. O’Hara
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Eating Concerns

ObjectivesThis paper illuminates how national eating disorder (ED) policy translates into day-to-day practice by exploring how ED services are experienced by those who deliver and use them.MethodsA mixed-methods approach was used, which combined qualitative and quantitative techniques. The paper collates data from three studies: (i) an interview study exploring the lived experiences of young people with EDs (n=8), their parents (n=5) and their healthcare professionals (n=3); (ii) a national survey of health professionals’ perspectives on existing ED services (n=171); (iii) a nationwide survey of secondary-school students’ eating concerns and patterns of help-seeking (n=290).ResultsThe qualitative interviews with young people and their parents revealed feelings of isolation and helplessness. Young people expressed interest in patient support groups, while parents desired greater support for the family unit. Parents were highly critical of available services, particularly in relation to access. These criticisms were echoed in the survey of healthcare professionals, who reported many barriers to delivering effective care. Clinicians were almost unanimous in calling for care pathways to be clarified via a standardised treatment protocol. The survey of adolescents indicated widespread reluctance to seek help regarding eating concerns: over one-third expressed concern about their own eating habits, but half of these had not divulged their concerns to anyone. Participants’ preferred pathways of help-seeking revolved around family and friends, and adolescents were unsure about routes of access to professional support.ConclusionsThe research demonstrates that many aspects of national ED policy have not been implemented in practice. The paper highlights specific gaps and suggests ways they can be redressed.

scholarly journals The impact of childhood injury and injury severity on school performance and high school completion in Australia: a matched population-based retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Mitchell ◽  
Cate M. Cameron ◽  
Anne McMaugh ◽  
Reidar P. Lystad ◽  
Tim Badgery-Parker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Young People ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
High School Completion ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
School Completion ◽  
Scholastic Performance ◽  
Comparison Cohort ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Exploring the impact of injury and injury severity on academic outcomes could assist to identify characteristics of young people likely to require learning support services. This study aims to compare scholastic performance and high school completion of young people hospitalised for an injury compared to young people not hospitalised for an injury by injury severity; and to examine factors influencing scholastic performance and school completion. Method A population-based matched case-comparison cohort study of young people aged ≤18 years hospitalised for an injury during 2005–2018 in New South Wales, Australia using linked birth, health, education and mortality records. The comparison cohort was matched on age, gender and residential postcode. Generalised linear mixed modelling examined risk of performance below the national minimum standard (NMS) on the National Assessment Plan for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and generalised linear regression examined risk of not completing high school for injured young people compared to matched peers. Results Injured young people had a higher risk of not achieving the NMS compared to their matched peers for numeracy (ARR: 1.12; 95%CI 1.06–1.17), reading (ARR: 1.09; 95%CI 1.04–1.13), spelling (ARR: 1.13; 95%CI 1.09–1.18), grammar (ARR: 1.11; 95%CI 1.06–1.15), and writing (ARR: 1.07; 95%CI 1.04–1.11). As injury severity increased from minor to serious, the risk of not achieving the NMS generally increased for injured young people compared to matched peers. Injured young people had almost twice the risk of not completing high school at year 10 (ARR: 2.17; 95%CI 1.73–2.72), year 11 (ARR: 1.95; 95%CI 1.78–2.14) or year 12 (ARR: 1.93; 95%CI 1.78–2.08) compared to matched peers. Conclusions The identification of characteristics of young people most likely to encounter problems in the academic environment after sustaining an injury is important to facilitate the potential need for learning support. Assessing learning needs and monitoring return-to-school progress post-injury may aid identification of any ongoing learning support requirements.

Youth Work Service Providers' Attitudes Towards Computerized CBT for Adolescents

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Fleming ◽  
Sally Merry
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Youth Service ◽  
Group Settings ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Service Staff

Background:Attitudes of social service providers towards computerized CBT (cCBT) might affect use of cCBT by their clients and may provide important insights that should be considered in dissemination. There is no literature exploring the attitudes of providers of youth work services towards cCBT despite the likelihood of them having close relationships with young people at high risk of mental ill-health.Method:Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a total of 40 providers (21 youth workers and social service staff providing alternative schooling, justice or other intensive youth work programmes to adolescents, 6 youth service managers, 2 trainers, 5 peer leaders and 6 trainees).Results:Participants considered supporting young people who were distressed to be an important part of their role. They were generally interested in cCBT, especially those who were more mental health oriented and those who saw a cCBT programme in action. Their greatest concerns regarding cCBT related to it possibly displacing human contact, while advantages were seen as its appeal to young people and its potential therapeutic power. They would utilize cCBT in a range of ways, with many wishing to offer it in group settings. Training and resources would be required for them to use cCBT.Conclusions:Many providers of youth work services would like to be involved in the use of cCBT; this might extend the reach of cCBT to vulnerable young people. They would wish to utilize cCBT in ways that fit their current approaches. Providers’ opinions need to be considered in the dissemination of cCBT.

Safe Spaces: Gay-Straight Alliances in High School

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Fetner ◽  
Athena Elafros ◽  
Sandra Bortolin ◽  
Coralee Drechsler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
High Schools ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Safe Space ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Complex Concept ◽  
The People

In activists' circles as in sociology, the concept "safe space" has beenapplied to all sorts of programs, organizations, and practices. However,few studies have specified clearly what safe spaces are and how theysupport the people who occupy them. In this paper, we examine one sociallocation typically understood to be a safe space: gay-straight alliancegroups in high schools. Using qualitative interviews with young adults inthe United States and Canada who have participated in gay-straightalliances, we examine the experiences of safe spaces in these groups. Weunpack this complex concept to consider some of the dimensions along whichsafe spaces might vary. Participants identified several types of safespace, and from their observations we derive three inter-related dimensionsof safe space: social context, membership and activity.

scholarly journals Cocaine Rituals in Club Culture: Intensifying and Controlling Alcohol Intoxication

2021 ◽  
pp. 002204262098651
Author(s):  
Marit Edland-Gryt
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Young People ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cocaine Use ◽  
Interaction Rituals ◽  
Collective Effervescence ◽  
Drinking Culture ◽  
Cocaine Users ◽  
And Control

Clubbing is an important part of the nighttime economy, and cocaine use is, for some young people, an essential part of this clubbing culture. However, the interaction rituals around the use of powder cocaine in this context remain understudied. This study is based on qualitative interviews with young adult recreational cocaine users ( n = 28) and explores how they use cocaine in club settings, in relation to rituals and drinking culture. The analysis identified three main explanations for using cocaine: (a) unity with friends because of shared transgression, (b) the high as a “collective effervescence,” and (c) the possibility to control, extend, and intensify drinking to intoxication. These three explanations illustrate how cocaine rituals were deeply integrated in drinking-to-intoxication rituals, and how the illegality of cocaine use reinforced feelings of unity with friends. In the nighttime economy, cocaine use and its related rituals are used to intensify and control alcohol-fuelled partying.

scholarly journals Service providers’ use of harm reduction approaches in working with older adults experiencing abuse: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Goodridge ◽  
Kerstin Stieber Roger ◽  
Christine A. Walsh ◽  
Elliot PausJenssen ◽  
Marina Cewick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Intervention Process ◽  
Process Enactment ◽  
Humanistic Approach

Abstract Background Although abuse experienced by older adults is common and expected to increase, disclosure, reporting and interventions to prevent or mitigate abuse remain sub-optimal. Incorporating principles of harm reduction into service provision has been advocated as a strategy that may improve outcomes for this population. This paper explores whether and how these principles of harm reduction were employed by professionals who provide services to older adults experiencing abuse. Methods Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with 23 professionals providing services to older adults experiencing abuse across three Western provinces of Canada was conducted. Key principles of harm reduction (humanism, incrementalism, individualism, pragmatism, autonomy, and accountability without termination) were used as a framework for organizing the themes. Results Our analysis illustrated a clear congruence between each of the six harm reduction principles and the approaches reflected in the narratives of professionals who provided services to this population, although these were not explicitly articulated as harm reduction by participants. Each of the harm reduction principles was evident in service providers’ description of their professional practice with abused older adults, although some principles were emphasized differentially at different phases of the disclosure and intervention process. Enactment of a humanistic approach formed the basis of the therapeutic client-provider relationships with abused older adults, with incremental, individual, and pragmatic principles also apparent in the discourse of participants. While respect for the older adult’s autonomy figured prominently in the data, concerns about the welfare of the older adults with questionable capacity were expressed when they did not engage with services or chose to return to a high-risk environment. Accountability without termination of the client-provider relationship was reflected in continuation of support regardless of the decisions made by the older adult experiencing abuse. Conclusions Harm reduction approaches are evident in service providers’ accounts of working with older adults experiencing abuse. While further refinement of the operational definitions of harm reduction principles specific to their application with older adults is still required, this harm reduction framework aligns well with both the ethical imperatives and the practical realities of supporting older adults experiencing abuse.

The Experiences and Perspectives of African-Australian Community Service Providers Who Work with At-Risk and Justice-Involved Youth

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2110226
Author(s):  
Stephane Shepherd ◽  
Aisling Bailey ◽  
Godwin Masuka
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Australian Community

African-Australian young people are over-represented in custody in the state of Victoria. It has been recognized in recent government and stakeholder strategic plans that African-Australian community service providers are well placed to help address the increasing complex needs of at-risk African-Australian youth. However little is known about the capacities of such providers to effectively contend with this growing social concern. In response, this study aimed to explore the perspectives and operational (service delivery and governance) experiences of African-Australian community organizations which provide services to at-risk young people in Victoria. Through a series of in-depth interviews with the leadership of eight key African-Australian service providers, we aimed to identify their perceived strengths, obstacles faced and proposed strategies to realize key objectives. Perspectives on key risk factors for young African-Australian justice system contact were also gathered. Several themes were extracted from the interviews, specifically (i) Risk factors for African-Australian youth justice-involvement (school disengagement, peer delinquency, family breakdown, intergenerational discord, perceived social rejection), (ii) The limitations of mainstream institutions to reduce African-Australian youth justice-involvement (too compliance focused, inflexible, business rather than human-centered, disconnected from communities and families), (iii) The advantages of African-Australian community service providers when working with African-Australian youth (community credibility, client trust, flexibility, culturally responsive), (iv) The challenges faced by African-Australian service providers (lack of funding/resources, professional staff shortages, infrastructural/governance limitations), and (v) “What works” in service provision for at-risk African-Australians (client involvement in program design, African staff representation, extensive structured programming matched with client aspirations, prioritizing relationship building, persistent outreach, mental health and legal literacy for clients and families). Implications for service delivery and social policy are discussed within.

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