Abstract (300 words maximum)
Opportunity youth (OY) are adolescents and young adults 16 to 24 years old who are not in employment, education or training (OECD, 2023). In the U.S., an estimated 16.4% of youth are OY (OECD, 2023). Prior studies have established OY are at higher risk for behavioral health problems (Hilley et al., 2019) and socioeconomic disadvantages (Belfield et al., 2012). However, the majority of research on OY is conducted through a social epidemiological lens, with limited attention to their psychosocial development. The objective of this qualitative study is to examine the experiences of disengagement during the transition to adulthood, contributing to our knowledge gaps in this understudied population. We focus on OYs' time use, aspirations and goals, social support and loneliness, and experiences of stigma and discrimination. Participants are being recruited using social media advertising, targeting young adults in the Atlanta metro area. Prospective participants complete a screening survey, and eligible participants are invited to complete a virtual interview. This study is currently in the interview phase, and we aim to interview thirty participants using a structured interview guide. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify and analyze emergent themes from the collected data. This presentation’s purpose is to disseminate background research about the experiences of OY, the motivating factors behind this study, and the development of the research design and implementation. We aim to inform practices and policies that support positive behavioral health and reconnection outcomes for OY. By taking a developmental lens toward the experiences of OY, programs and policies can enhance their relevance and appropriateness for this unique subset of late adolescents and young adults.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Chanler Hilley
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Opportunity Youth through a Developmental Lens
Opportunity youth (OY) are adolescents and young adults 16 to 24 years old who are not in employment, education or training (OECD, 2023). In the U.S., an estimated 16.4% of youth are OY (OECD, 2023). Prior studies have established OY are at higher risk for behavioral health problems (Hilley et al., 2019) and socioeconomic disadvantages (Belfield et al., 2012). However, the majority of research on OY is conducted through a social epidemiological lens, with limited attention to their psychosocial development. The objective of this qualitative study is to examine the experiences of disengagement during the transition to adulthood, contributing to our knowledge gaps in this understudied population. We focus on OYs' time use, aspirations and goals, social support and loneliness, and experiences of stigma and discrimination. Participants are being recruited using social media advertising, targeting young adults in the Atlanta metro area. Prospective participants complete a screening survey, and eligible participants are invited to complete a virtual interview. This study is currently in the interview phase, and we aim to interview thirty participants using a structured interview guide. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify and analyze emergent themes from the collected data. This presentation’s purpose is to disseminate background research about the experiences of OY, the motivating factors behind this study, and the development of the research design and implementation. We aim to inform practices and policies that support positive behavioral health and reconnection outcomes for OY. By taking a developmental lens toward the experiences of OY, programs and policies can enhance their relevance and appropriateness for this unique subset of late adolescents and young adults.