Passionate About Social Change: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study Exploring the Experiences of Young...

This study aims to add to the research base on community psychology interventions through an exploration of youths' experiences. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six young people (aged 16-25) who had taken up roles with a youth-led Young Advisors (YA) organisation operating according to a community psychology model. Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Six superordinate themes were identified as occurring across the participant group: conceptualisation of the YA role, YA and the construct of self, personal growth through YA involvement, factors attributed to the effectiveness of the role, challenges in role, and factors contributing to continued involvement. Based on the research findings, community psychology interventions offer an attractive and effective model for engaging youths, including those from marginalised and disadvantaged communities, offering alternative solutions to the individually focused, professionally driven interventions for mental health and wellbeing that currently dominate in the United Kingdom.