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Youth, Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 13 articles

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17 pages, 311 KiB  
Article
Investigating Effects from a Non-Formal Coach Education Program Based on Mentorship
by Frode Moen, Kathrine Lervold, Maja Olsen and Jan Arvid Haugan
Youth 2025, 5(3), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030074 - 11 Jul 2025
Abstract
The current study investigates effects from a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship on the coach–athlete working alliance (CAWA), perceived coach performance (PCP), coaches’ perceptions of self (CPS), and social resources in sport (SRS). Fifty-four elite coaches from a variety of sports [...] Read more.
The current study investigates effects from a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship on the coach–athlete working alliance (CAWA), perceived coach performance (PCP), coaches’ perceptions of self (CPS), and social resources in sport (SRS). Fifty-four elite coaches from a variety of sports who participated in a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship over a period of 18 months, and 21 coaches from a control group, completed data collection at both the pre- and post-test. The results from regression analyses show that the group variable significantly explained the variance in the PCP and SRS at the post-test, whereas the group variable did not significantly explain any variance in CAWA and CPS at the post-test. Thus, the results in the current study indicate positive results from the coach education program on PCP and SRS. The current results are discussed based on the effect mentorship might have on coaches’ self-reflections based on their own experiences, and the importance of building social networks among their peer coaches. Full article
19 pages, 702 KiB  
Article
The Critical Role of Cultural Identity and the Use of ‘Safe Cultural Spaces’ as a Model of Care for Ethnic Youth: A Case Example in Youth with African Heritage Living in Aotearoa—New Zealand
by Irene Ayallo
Youth 2025, 5(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030073 - 10 Jul 2025
Abstract
This article discusses the importance of cultural identity for ethnic youth, considering the challenges they face as migrants or from migrant backgrounds. It then develops the idea of using safe cultural spaces as a culturally responsive model of care for these youth. The [...] Read more.
This article discusses the importance of cultural identity for ethnic youth, considering the challenges they face as migrants or from migrant backgrounds. It then develops the idea of using safe cultural spaces as a culturally responsive model of care for these youth. The data used are drawn from a qualitative study with 35 African heritage youth living in Aotearoa–New Zealand as participants. The study was guided by participatory action research (PAR) methodology principles. Data was collected using research workshops (adaption of focus groups) and qualitative survey questionnaires. PAR’s transformative lens, narrative inquiry, and inductive thematic analysis were used to identify and analyse the reported themes. Findings show that ethnic youth value their cultural identities primarily because, in the context of migration, where they constantly navigate multiple levels of social exclusion and marginality, it confers a sense of personhood, uniqueness, and belonging. However, trying to live their multiple cultures authentically presents many challenges. Accordingly, intentional initiatives that are culturally responsive and holistic are critical to support them in navigating this process healthily. Creating safe cultural spaces is proposed as a model of care. The article reports and discusses youth perspectives on what these spaces and the model of care would entail. Full article
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18 pages, 681 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Effects of Eccentric Strength Training on Hematology and Muscle Ultrasound in University Students
by Juan Carlos Giraldo García, Julián Echeverri Chica, German Campuzano Zuluaga, Gloria María Ruiz Rengifo, Donaldo Cardona Nieto, Juan Cancio Arcila Arango and Oliver Ramos-Álvarez
Youth 2025, 5(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030072 - 10 Jul 2025
Abstract
Strength training has established itself as an essential component in physical conditioning programmes, not only to improve sports performance, but also for health purposes. To evaluate the effects of a strength training protocol with a predominance of the eccentric component on blood count, [...] Read more.
Strength training has established itself as an essential component in physical conditioning programmes, not only to improve sports performance, but also for health purposes. To evaluate the effects of a strength training protocol with a predominance of the eccentric component on blood count, blood chemistry, and quadriceps muscle ultrasound in university students. 31 students (22.3 ± 4.14 years) of the professional programme in Sports of the Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid participated. A mesocycle was developed with three weekly sessions of eccentric training focused on the lower body and core zone. Pre and post-intervention measurements were taken anthropometry, haemogram, lipid profile, ultrasound of the right quadriceps, Bosco test, and Rockport test. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used, and the effect size was calculated using rank correlation. Statistically significant changes were observed in haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, HDL, muscle thickness and echo-intensity, vertical jump power, and maximal oxygen consumption. A four-week eccentric strength training programme generates improvements in haematology, lipid profile, muscle quality assessed by ultrasound, and functional performance in university students. Full article
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13 pages, 432 KiB  
Essay
Youth Development Through the Arts: Conceptualizing Culture-Centered, Community-Based Youth Arts (CCYA) Programs
by Esohe Osai and Thomas Akiva
Youth 2025, 5(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030071 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 89
Abstract
The arts can support well-being and provide culturally affirming developmental opportunities for youth of color. Despite what we know about the power of arts, youth of color are less likely to have access to arts in their schools. Culture-centered community-based youth arts (CCYA) [...] Read more.
The arts can support well-being and provide culturally affirming developmental opportunities for youth of color. Despite what we know about the power of arts, youth of color are less likely to have access to arts in their schools. Culture-centered community-based youth arts (CCYA) programs may provide vital settings to support well-being, particularly for youth of color. We define CCYA in three parts: They are community-based youth development programs that offer high-quality arts learning and center the racial/ethnic cultures of youth-of-color participants. This conceptual paper describes the three components and the significance of CCYA programs in communities of color. We suggest areas for future research that support the deepening of this conceptualization and provide insights for arts programs that cater to the specific developmental needs of arts-interested youth in marginalized communities. Full article
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17 pages, 314 KiB  
Article
Sport as a Catalyst for Social Justice and Inclusion: A Case Study of the Gaelic Athletic Association’s Role in Community and Youth Development
by Mark A. Brennan, Pat Dolan, Colin Regan and Theodore Alter
Youth 2025, 5(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030070 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 162
Abstract
Sport can serve as a powerful tool for community building, fostering inclusion, challenging intolerance, and advancing social justice. It also supports positive youth development and active citizenship. When embedded in local life and accessible beyond athletics, sport creates unique conditions for community development [...] Read more.
Sport can serve as a powerful tool for community building, fostering inclusion, challenging intolerance, and advancing social justice. It also supports positive youth development and active citizenship. When embedded in local life and accessible beyond athletics, sport creates unique conditions for community development and inclusive action. Sport and equity-focused community development are about relationships. The perspectives and behaviors stemming from youth participation in sport—what they learn about human relationships, relationship building, and life skills—carry forward through time in all phases and facets of their lives. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ireland’s largest amateur sporting and cultural organization, exemplifies this potential. More than a sports organization, the GAA plays a central role in Irish society, offering opportunities for people of all ages to engage in sport, fitness, and well-being, while actively contributing to community life. GAA clubs often function as local social hubs, creating spaces for connection across generations. This article uses the GAA as a case study to explore how sport can be a unifying and inclusive structure for community building. Specifically, we will (1) examine the link between sport, youth, and active citizenship; (2) explore connections between sport, community, inclusion, and social justice; (3) offer a historical and cultural overview of the GAA; and (4) consider how organizations like the GAA can support efforts around inclusion, tolerance, and sustainability. The discussion will highlight implications for future community programming and policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Justice Youth Development through Sport and Physical Activity)
32 pages, 706 KiB  
Review
Rural LGBTQIA+ Youth: A Review of the Literature (2015–2025)
by Aaron M. Kemmerer, Frederick H. Stephens, Jared R. Clanton, Denise Presnell, Justus A. Brewington and Bryan J. Speight
Youth 2025, 5(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030069 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 139
Abstract
This article presents a structured review of literature published between 2015 and 2025 on the experiences of rural LGBTQIA+ youth. Using targeted search terms—including “LGBT*,” “rural,” “country,” “young people,” “sexual and gender minority (SGM),” “small town,” “youth,” and “students”—a research team identified 26 [...] Read more.
This article presents a structured review of literature published between 2015 and 2025 on the experiences of rural LGBTQIA+ youth. Using targeted search terms—including “LGBT*,” “rural,” “country,” “young people,” “sexual and gender minority (SGM),” “small town,” “youth,” and “students”—a research team identified 26 peer-reviewed articles that met inclusion criteria. Through team-based thematic analysis, six core themes emerged: (1) gaps in intersectional analysis, (2) mental health outcomes, (3) culturally responsive services and resources, (4) community climate and context, (5) experiences of victimization, and (6) policy. Across these themes, the review highlights the resilience, agency, and strength of LGBTQIA+ youth navigating rural environments. The literature consistently demonstrates how experiences of victimization are closely linked to mental health outcomes, while access to social support—particularly from affirming adults in systems (such as schools)—can mitigate harm and foster well-being. Implications for social work research, practice, and policy are discussed, with an emphasis on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in U.S. Southern rural settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience, Strength, Empowerment and Thriving of LGTBQIA+ Youth)
15 pages, 803 KiB  
Article
Streamlining Motor Competence Assessments via a Machine Learning Approach
by Colm O’Donaghue, Michael Scriney, Sarahjane Belton and Stephen Behan
Youth 2025, 5(3), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030068 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 118
Abstract
Strong competencies in actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived motor competence (PMC) support lifelong physical activity. However, assessing MC is time-consuming, requiring multiple AMC and PMC evaluations. Streamlining these assessments would improve efficiency at a national level. This study used machine learning (ML) [...] Read more.
Strong competencies in actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived motor competence (PMC) support lifelong physical activity. However, assessing MC is time-consuming, requiring multiple AMC and PMC evaluations. Streamlining these assessments would improve efficiency at a national level. This study used machine learning (ML) classification to (1) identify AMC assessments that can be accurately predicted in an Irish context using other AMC and PMC assessments, and (2) examine prediction accuracy differences between genders. AMC was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (3rd Edition) and the Victorian Fundamental Motor Skills Manual, while PMC was assessed with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence. Five ML classification models were trained and tested on an Irish MC dataset (n = 2098, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04) to predict distinct AMC assessment outcomes. The highest prediction accuracies (>85%) were found for the Catch (female and gender-combined subsets) and Bounce (male subset) AMC assessments. These assessments could potentially be removed from the current Irish testing battery for their respective gender groups. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of ML classification in optimising Irish MC assessment procedures, reducing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency. Full article
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16 pages, 275 KiB  
Review
Broadening the Meanings of Youth Climate Activism: A Review of the Literature from Asia
by Therese Boje Mortensen and Timisha Dadhich
Youth 2025, 5(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030067 - 5 Jul 2025
Viewed by 314
Abstract
It is by now a common trope that youth climate activism has become a ‘global phenomenon’. Yet, it also has significant regional variations. This literature review analyses eighteen academic articles on the topic of youth climate activism in Asia. We found that the [...] Read more.
It is by now a common trope that youth climate activism has become a ‘global phenomenon’. Yet, it also has significant regional variations. This literature review analyses eighteen academic articles on the topic of youth climate activism in Asia. We found that the literature from Asia overall had ambitions to contextualise and nuance international scholarship on youth climate activism. This was achieved by emphasising social and cultural constructions of youth in different Asian contexts; by exploring inequality-related barriers for young people to enter into climate activism; by emphasising solidarity across classes and ages as a particular aspect of much Asian youth climate activism; and by showcasing the political restrictions in many Asian states, which inhibit (scholarship on) activism. We conclude that Asian avatars of youth climate activism have evolved in response to their distinct social, cultural, and political contexts, and that they challenge not easily transferable concepts such as ‘school strike’ and ‘future generations’. At the end, we offer suggestions for future research, including the need for going beyond desk studies when documenting discrete movements and for conceptualisations of youth climate activism that are inclusive of diverse contexts. Full article
21 pages, 1126 KiB  
Article
Applying the 7P Framework to Youth–Adult Partnerships in Climate Organizing Spaces: “If We Are Going to Be the Ones Living with Climate Change, We Should Have a Say”
by Ellen Field and Lilian Barraclough
Youth 2025, 5(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030066 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
Young people are frustrated and disheartened with the lack of adult leadership and action to address the climate crisis. Although youth representation in global, regional, and local decision-making contexts on climate change is steadily growing, the desired role and effect of youth in [...] Read more.
Young people are frustrated and disheartened with the lack of adult leadership and action to address the climate crisis. Although youth representation in global, regional, and local decision-making contexts on climate change is steadily growing, the desired role and effect of youth in environmental and climate decision-making has shifted from a focus on having youth voices heard, to having a direct and meaningful impact on policy and action. To meaningfully integrate youth perspectives into climate policies and programs, intergenerational approaches and youth–adult partnerships are key. This paper explores strategies to support youth action and engagement as adult partners by investigating youth perspectives on what adults and adult-led organizations should consider when engaging young people in climate-related work. This qualitative research study introduces a revised version of the 7P youth participation framework, developed through focus groups with high school youth. This paper provides reflective questions and practical recommendations for participants engaged in youth–adult partnerships to help guide engagement beyond token representation and create meaningfully participatory conditions for youth agency in climate organizing spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Politics of Disruption: Youth Climate Activisms and Education)
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17 pages, 277 KiB  
Article
Care-Leavers’ Views on Their Preparation for Leaving Residential Care in South Africa
by Nellie Sandy Seale and Adrian D. van Breda
Youth 2025, 5(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030065 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 505
Abstract
The process of youth leaving residential care, for those who grew up in care, remains a global challenge. In South Africa, leaving care is complicated by the almost complete absence of aftercare support services, and a general lack of preparation for leaving care. [...] Read more.
The process of youth leaving residential care, for those who grew up in care, remains a global challenge. In South Africa, leaving care is complicated by the almost complete absence of aftercare support services, and a general lack of preparation for leaving care. This study aims to describe South African care-leavers’ views on how well they think they were prepared for care-leaving and what they believe could improve preparation for leaving care. This study is framed in resilience theory, to identify the interactional processes that facilitate better-than-expected outcomes. One-on-one qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 care-leavers, from both state-run and non-governmental residential care facilities. Grounded theory methods of data analysis were used. Participants identified both enablers of care-leaving (e.g., supportive relationships and early workplace exposure) and hinderances to their leaving care (e.g., overprotection and lack of family reunification services). This study concludes that more purposeful preparation for leaving care is required, with an emphasis on building youths’ capacity for interdependence, completion of education before leaving care, and ensuring family reunification work is done. Full article
18 pages, 327 KiB  
Article
Sport, Physical Activity, and Health Inequalities Among Youth Who Are Incarcerated: Perspectives of Youth Custody Workers in Ontario, Canada
by Mark Norman and Rubens Heller Mandel
Youth 2025, 5(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030064 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 204
Abstract
The current article seeks to understand, and critically analyze the implications of, how youth custody workers understand the relationship between sport, physical activity, and health among youth who are incarcerated. Data was collected through surveys (n = 15) and semi-structured interviews ( [...] Read more.
The current article seeks to understand, and critically analyze the implications of, how youth custody workers understand the relationship between sport, physical activity, and health among youth who are incarcerated. Data was collected through surveys (n = 15) and semi-structured interviews (n = 16) with youth custody workers in Ontario, Canada. We present and analyze three themes emerging from participants’ narratives: the potential for sport and physical activity to contribute, in a holistic way, to the physical, mental, and social health of youth who are incarcerated; the possibility for sport and physical activity to create space for building “therapeutic alliances” between staff and youth, which can improve the mental and social health of youth who are incarcerated; and perceptions of health deficits among youth who are incarcerated and their implications for social inequality. Through an analysis of these themes, we deepen the limited scholarly analysis of sport, physical activity, and health among young persons who are incarcerated and connect these discussions to broader considerations of social determinants of health (that is, structural and social factors that create health inequities) as a matter of social justice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Justice Youth Development through Sport and Physical Activity)
13 pages, 218 KiB  
Article
Stories from the Margins: The Symbiotic Relationship Between Talent Development and Youth Development in Sport
by Meredith A. Whitley, Kevin Flores Garnelo, Denisse Gonzalez, Lizeth Velazquez and Jaime J. Oliveros
Youth 2025, 5(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030063 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 189
Abstract
All too often, the Sport for Development (SfD) field minimizes talent development and competition in lieu of youth development. In this article, we deconstruct assumptions about what is important for young people who are marginalized to learn and experience as they grow up, [...] Read more.
All too often, the Sport for Development (SfD) field minimizes talent development and competition in lieu of youth development. In this article, we deconstruct assumptions about what is important for young people who are marginalized to learn and experience as they grow up, along with the role of talent development and competition in an SfD intervention, by centering their stories. The young people featured in these stories experience marginalization because of their race, ethnicity, and parents’ country of origin (outside the United States), among other factors that play a role in their everyday lives, and yet their stories highlight the symbiotic relationship between talent development and youth development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Approaches to Youth Development through Sport)
17 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Navigating Complexity: Ethical and Methodological Insights from a Trauma-Informed Participatory Action Research Study with Young People in Sport for Development
by Julia Ferreira Gomes, Isra Iqbal and Lyndsay M. C. Hayhurst
Youth 2025, 5(3), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030062 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 224
Abstract
Participatory action research (PAR) has been increasingly used in sport for development research due to its potential to challenge hegemonic forms of knowledge production within sport contexts. Drawing on the youth and feminist action literature, we explore the methodological and ethical challenges of [...] Read more.
Participatory action research (PAR) has been increasingly used in sport for development research due to its potential to challenge hegemonic forms of knowledge production within sport contexts. Drawing on the youth and feminist action literature, we explore the methodological and ethical challenges of conducting participatory research as young academic researchers collaborating with young coaches as community collaborators. This article calls for greater transparency in how researchers conduct YPAR, whether it is youth-centred or youth-led, and underscores the utility of a feminist lens and trauma- and violence-informed framework in grounding critical reflexivity throughout the research process. These contributions aim to advance ethically grounded, trauma-informed action research projects with young people in sport and physical activity settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Approaches to Youth Development through Sport)
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