Positive Youth Experiences measured through the Four Building Blocks of HOPE
Western Sydney University, Australasian HOPE network leader, recently published the results of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth*. The goal of this study was to evaluate the associations between positive and negative youth experiences and environments in adolescence and following up with participants in early adulthood to look at health, education and employment outcomes. They began collecting data in 2003 with youth ages 15-17. During this time, Positive and Adverse Youth Experiences (PYEs and AYEs) were studied. Health, education and employment outcomes were studied when participants turned 25. The surveys included questions that explored three of the Four Building Blocks of HOPE – good relationships, safe, stable and equitable environments, and social engagement.
The graph above shows how many youth experienced each of these Building Blocks. Most youths agreed that close friends are important, they feel safe at school, and their household members are important. The least common were having two or more important non-parent adults (46%), and participation in out-of-school activities at least monthly (34%). Knowing this, we can explore policy changes to improve access to these experiences to improve lifelong health.
Outcomes from PYEs and AYEs in early adulthood
Those who experienced a high number of PYEs were shown to have completed post-school education, being in a satisfactory employment and training, and have good general mental or physical health.
When asking about AYEs, the study also looked at adverse youth environments – living in poverty, single parent family, unstable housing, feeling marginalized at school, and having career responsibilities. These questions replaced the typical questions that ask about parental mental health or experiences of abuse and neglect due to the age group responding to the questions. Those who experienced a high number of AYEs had higher chances of having a lower educational attainment, lower odds of being in a satisfactory employment or training, and a higher chance of experiencing poor general and mental health outcomes.
Experiences of both PYEs and AYEs differs from their experiences alone
Outcomes looked different when a participant experienced both AYEs and PYEs. The added PYEs to a youth’s life had little effect on educational attainment, participation in education, training, or satisfactory employment when they turned 25. However, PYEs helped to positively impact the participants general and mental health.
Typically, studies have adult participants answer questions that relay on their ability to recall what was happening in their youth. This study askes those who are currently experiencing their youth to answer questions relevant to their day-to-day, and follow up with them in real time as they enter early adulthood.
* Kemp L, Elcombe E, Blythe S, Grace R, Donohoe K, Sege R. The Impact of Positive and Adverse Experiences in Adolescence on Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in Early Adulthood. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024 Aug 29;21(9):114
