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Better Design, Better Engagement, Better Data: Adolescents' Insights for Improving Health Research
Mohammad Karimipour1, Mina Fazel1, Emma Soneson1
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Summary
Adolescent participation in health research improves with researcher relationships, participant choice, and control. Empowering adolescents enhances engagement, representation, and data accuracy in studies.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health Research
- Patient and Public Involvement in Research
- Qualitative Research Methods
Background:
- Adolescent health research faces challenges including poor representation, limited long-term engagement, and inaccurate self-reported data.
- Understanding adolescent perspectives is crucial for improving research participation and data integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore adolescents' views on participating in health research.
- To identify strategies for enhancing adolescent engagement, representation, and data quality in research studies.
Main Methods:
- Nine focus groups were conducted with 46 adolescents (aged 16-18) across five English schools.
- Constructivist grounded theory was employed to analyze factors influencing participation and interaction processes.
- A Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG) provided feedback on study design and conceptual models.
Main Results:
- Positive researcher relationships foster emotional security, reducing judgment concerns.
- Adolescent choice and control throughout the research process increase feelings of security and engagement.
- Perceiving research as an influential collaboration empowers adolescents to provide accurate personal data.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing adolescent engagement, representation, and data quality requires significant time and resource investment.
- Fostering positive relationships and offering choice/control are key strategies.
- Clear communication about research impact and addressing concerns about judgment are essential for adolescents.
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