AB042. Perceptions and experiences of young adults regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Uganda: a focus group study

There is a lack of service provision for young adult caregivers (18–25 years of age). This study aims to describe the expectations and prospects of young adult caregivers regarding support from health and education professionals. A qualitative focus group design was used. Twenty-five young Dutch adults (aged 18–25 years) who were growing up with a chronically ill family member participated in one of seven focus groups. Qualitative inductive analysis was used to identify codes and main themes. Two overarching themes with five sub-themes emerged from the focus group discussions. The overarching themes are: the ‘process of approaching young adults’ and the ‘types of support these young adults require’. The process of approaching young adults contains the sub-themes: ‘recognition, attention, and listening’, ‘open-minded attitude’, ‘reliability’, and ‘respecting autonomy’. The types of support this group requires contains the sub-themes: ‘information and emotional support’. Health and education professionals should first and foremost be aware and listen to young adult caregivers, pay attention to them, have an open-minded attitude, respect their autonomy, and have the knowledge to provide them with information and emotional support. Further research could yield comprehensive insights into how professionals can meet these requirements and whether these results apply to male young adult caregivers and young adult caregivers not enrolled in a healthcare-related study program.

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Why do young adults choose different transport modes? A focus group study

Transport Policy ◽

10.1016/j.tranpol.2014.08.009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 ◽

pp. 151-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Dorien Simons ◽

Peter Clarys ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Bas de Geus ◽

Corneel Vandelanotte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Transport Modes

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Young Adults, Technology, and Weight Loss: A Focus Group Study

Journal of Obesity ◽

10.1155/2015/379769 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Janna Stephens ◽

Gyasi Moscou-Jackson ◽

Jerilyn K. Allen

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Young Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Need Support ◽

Smartphone Technology ◽

Group Sessions ◽

Weight Loss Interventions

Overweight and obesity are a major concern in young adults. Technology has been integrated into many weight loss interventions; however little is known about the use of this technology in young adults. The purpose of this study was to explore through focus group sessions the opinions of young adults on the use of technology for weight loss. A total of 17 young adults, between 18 and 25 years of age, participated in three focus group sessions. Major results indicated that young adults have very little knowledge on the use of Smartphone technology for weight loss but would like to use this type of technology to help them lose weight. Results also indicated that young adults struggle to make healthy food choices and have priorities that outweigh exercise and they need support and guidance to make better decisions. In conclusion, young adults would be open to using Smartphone technology for weight loss but also need feedback and guidance to help make healthy decisions.

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Assessing the Appeal of Instagram Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquid Promotions and Warnings Among Young Adults: Mixed Methods Focus Group Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/15441 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. e15441 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Linnea I Laestadius ◽

Kendall E Penndorf ◽

Melissa Seidl ◽

Young I Cho

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Young Adult ◽

Focus Group ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Nicotine Addiction ◽

Electronic Cigarette ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

User Perceptions ◽

Regulatory Strategies

Background While marketing for electronic cigarette refill liquids (e-liquids) is widespread on Instagram, little is known about the post elements that create appeal among young adult Instagram users. Further information is needed to help shape regulatory strategies appropriate for social media. Objective This study examined young adult Instagram user perceptions of actual e-liquid marketing posts and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–mandated nicotine addiction warning statements on Instagram. Methods A series of 12 focus groups (n=69) were held with non–tobacco users, vapers, smokers, and dual users in Wisconsin between September and December 2018. Participants discussed the elements of posts that they found appealing or unappealing, in addition to completing a survey about each post and e-liquid. Focus group transcripts were analyzed by smoking status using a framework analysis approach. Results Although willingness to try e-liquids was highest among nicotine users, focus group discussions indicated that Instagram posts promoting e-liquids held appeal for individuals across smoking statuses. The primary elements that created appeal were the perceived trustworthiness of the Instagram account, attractive design and flavor visuals, and promotion of flavors and nicotine levels that met personal preferences. Post appeal was reduced by references to vaping subcultures, indicators that the post creator did not take nicotine addiction seriously, and FDA-mandated nicotine warning statements. Non–tobacco users were particularly drawn to posts featuring nicotine-free e-liquids with attractive visual designs and flavors known from foods. Conclusions Young adults consider a broad range of elements in assessing the appeal of e-liquid marketing on Instagram, with minor but notable distinctions by smoking status. Non–tobacco users are uniquely drawn to nicotine-free e-liquids and are more deterred by the FDA’s mandated nicotine addiction warning statements than those from other smoking statuses. This suggests that it may be possible to tailor policy interventions in a manner that helps to reduce novel uptake of vaping without significantly diminishing its potential harm-reduction benefits.

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Young adults’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public: a focus group study

Frontiers of Nursing ◽

10.2478/fon-2020-0023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 217-226

Author(s):

Ka-Huen Yip ◽

Yuk-Chiu Yip ◽

Catherine Man-Yin Lee ◽

Mei-Yi Siu ◽

Shu-Ying Ngai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Focus Group ◽

Breastfeeding Initiation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Related Factors ◽

Breastfeeding In Public ◽

Breastfeeding Practices ◽

Focus Group Data

AbstractObjectiveTo elucidate the perceptions of young Chinese adults aged 18–25 toward adopting breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong), China.MethodsA descriptive and exploratory study design was adopted. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Focus group data were collected from three semi-structured interviews. Responses from 18 participants were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using content analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged that described the young adults’ perceptions and barriers toward breastfeeding practices: (1) adaptability of self and others, (2) cultural deem and practice, (3) convenience and connection, and (4) education and advocacy. Interestingly, all respondents (male and female) are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Their negative perceptions toward breastfeeding initiation and continuation originate from factors that are essentially extraneous to the mother–infant dyads (such as the breadth and intensity of sociopolitical support, the dominant social beliefs and norms, and the inadequacy of breastfeeding education in adolescent years).ConclusionsIn general, the young adult's perception of breastfeeding is dominated by sociopolitical and cultural-related factors. In particular, sexualization of breasts as a deep-rooted belief in the Chinese context negatively affects young adults’ perceptions and limits their breastfeeding practices.

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‘It’s So Hard Not to be Funny in This Situation’: Memes and Humor in U.S. Youth Online Political Expression

Television & New Media ◽

10.1177/1527476419886068 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 791-806 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joel Penney

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Communal Identity ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Political Expression ◽

Online Engagement ◽

Citizen Empowerment ◽

The Relationship

In light of the promise of humorous political memes as popular routes to citizen empowerment as well as concerns over their potential dangers, it is necessary to examine how everyday citizens make sense of their role in political expression and how they engage with them—or not—in their everyday social media activities. This focus group study explores these questions by focusing on the digital practices of U.S. young adults. The findings suggest a range of benefits of posting political memes and humor online, including building solidarity with likeminded peers and reinforcing communal identity, as well as advancing accessible and influential political critiques. However, these positive assessments are complicated by concerns over the relationship between political meme humor and threats of trivialization and hyper-polarization, which limit some users from participating in its circulation and lead them to seek alternative modes of online engagement that are perceived as more civically valuable.

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