Community-Based Participatory Research: Involving Young People with Lived Experiences of Problematic Sexual Behaviors

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Psychology
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• Community advisory boards (CABs) enhance research relevance and implementation.
• Youth CABs offer similar benefits but face unique challenges.
• Engaging youth with problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) in research requires specific considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility and benefits of engaging youth with PSB in an anonymous community advisory board and interviews.
• To gather insights from young participants regarding the research process and their experiences.
• To identify best practices for conducting community-based participatory research with vulnerable youth populations.

Main Methods:

• A participatory research study involving youth (aged 14-21) with PSB.
• Anonymous community advisory board and individual interviews were conducted after survey completion.
• Qualitative data from 16 interviews and 5 advisory board members were analyzed using content analysis.

Main Results:

• Young people with PSB are willing to discuss sensitive, stigmatized topics and support research.
• Participants were not harmed by discussions and were capable of providing consent.
• Confidentiality, creative communication, and clear boundaries are crucial for ethical engagement.

Conclusions:

• Involving vulnerable youth with PSB in research is feasible and beneficial.
• Community-based participatory research can successfully address highly stigmatized topics.
• This approach yields valuable insights for developing effective prevention services for at-risk youth.