Collaborating With Young People: Identifying the Barriers and Facilitators in Co-Designed Research

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Community Psychology
• Youth Studies

Background:

• Collaborative research with young people enhances relevance in research and policy.
• Understanding barriers and facilitators to meaningful youth engagement in research is limited.
• This scoping review identifies challenges and enablers for involving youth in codesign research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers and facilitators of engaging young people in codesign research processes.
• To synthesize existing literature on youth participation in co-designed research.
• To inform future participatory research practices that center young people.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review utilizing JBI methodological guidance.
• Searches conducted across Proquest, Scopus, Informit, and Science Direct (Jan 2003-Aug 2023).
• Included peer-reviewed publications using codesign or participatory methods with individuals aged 15-24 years; qualitative content analysis used.

Main Results:

• 41 publications met inclusion criteria, varying in age ranges and populations (e.g., mental health, disabilities, First Nations youth).
• Facilitators included consistent funding, dedicated staff, flexible methods, youth as co-creators, community networks, and extended timelines.
• Key barriers comprised limited resources, staff capacity, recruitment, transportation, and external responsibilities hindering participation.

Conclusions:

• No universal approach to codesign exists; success depends on interplay of resources, communication, process, agency, investment, and relationships.
• Effective incorporation of these interdependent factors fosters meaningful and lasting collaboration.
• Findings aim to inform future participatory research practices, emphasizing youth and stakeholder engagement.