Screens and Teens: A youth participatory action research approach to developing a survey to assess sexual health risks in the digital age.

Résumé

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and development, particularly in the domains of relationships and sexuality. The use of screens during adolescence can provide outlets to access sexual health knowledge and peer support but may also expose youth to sexual health risks. To meaningfully assess factors influencing youth sexual health, engaging youth in the development of research survey tools is critical.OBJECTIVE: Applying a youth participatory action research approach, this paper describes the process of co-designing a survey that integrates the present-day experiences of youth to evaluate the potential impacts of screen use on subsequent sexual health attitudes, behaviours, and risks.METHODS: Two youth co-principal investigators were engaged from the onset of the study and contributed to the recruitment of six additional youth researchers. A training curriculum was co-designed; the multi-day sessions equipped the youth researchers to develop the survey. Existing validated surveys and literature were screened for potential survey questions, and smaller working groups deliberated to reach consensus on included questions and modifications.RESULTS: The youth researchers created a survey that consisted of nine sections: gender and sexual orientation, media and communication, sources of sexual health information and attitudes, relationships and dating, sexual activity, sexual knowledge and attitudes, dating apps, cybersex, and pornography. The team developed new questions on social media platforms, self-image, and sexual activity consent.CONCLUSION: Embedding youth in sexual health research beyond the role of advisors, but rather as co-creators, facilitates the generation of research tools that are relevant and culturally informed for adolescents.