Youth, Volume 5, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 16 articles

(1) Background: Mental health (MH) in university students is often studied through isolated variables. However, a dynamic systems perspective suggests that psychological well-being results from interactions among multiple dimensions such as personality, mood, resilience, self-esteem, and psychological distress. (2) Methods: A total of 928 university students (M = 21.01 ± 1.95) completed validated questionnaires: Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) for personality, Profile of Mood States (POMS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 25), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) using the EGAnet package in RStudio (v. 2025.09.01) was employed to identify latent dimensions and their interconnections. (3) Results: EGA revealed five stable and interconnected dimensions with good fit indices (TEFI = −9.00; ≥0.70): (a) Personality as socio-emotional regulation, (b) Mood as a generalized affective continuum, (c) Resilience as a unified coping process, (d) Self-esteem based on competence and self-worth, and (e) Psychological distress integrating depression, anxiety, and stress. (4) Conclusion: MH appears as a complex and dynamic network of interrelated psychological components. This network-based approach provides a more integrative understanding of well-being in students and supports the development of interventions that target multiple dimensions simultaneously, enhancing effectiveness in academic settings. Full article

This study explores the complex relationship between addiction and well-being among youth by examining social, behavioral, and economic factors. It aims to identify the key determinants influencing addiction and their impact on young individuals’ physical, mental, and social well-being. Utilizing a dataset including variables such as social isolation, academic decline, financial issues, and mental and physical health problems, the study applies correlation analysis and hierarchical clustering techniques to uncover significant patterns. The results reveal that behaviors like experimentation (ρ = 0.34), social isolation (ρ = 0.28), and financial stress (ρ = 0.22) are strongly associated with addiction. These findings suggest that early risk-taking behaviors, particularly experimentation, play a critical role in the development of addiction and highlight the importance of early intervention. Social and economic stressors are also key contributors, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies. The study concludes that addiction among youth is a multidimensional issue requiring holistic responses, including enhanced social support, economic assistance, and improved access to healthcare. These insights can inform effective policies and interventions aimed at reducing addiction rates and promoting well-being in young populations. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated labor market inequalities, disproportionately impacting workers based on age, gender, and sector. In Turkey, the pandemic-induced economic crisis resulted in a substantial increase in unemployment, with youth (ages 15–24) encountering the most significant challenges. Young women, in particular, experienced more severe outcomes, increasing their vulnerability in the labor market. This study examined the factors contributing to the intensified challenges faced by young women during the pandemic. Using official data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), comparative analyses were conducted on labor market indicators by age and gender, focusing on unemployment rates, informal employment, and sectoral distribution. This study considers both narrow and broad definitions of unemployment, including underemployment and the potential labor force. The findings indicate that young women suffered the most severe employment losses, exacerbated by their concentration in low-wage, precarious jobs and informal work, with gendered occupational segregation further intensifying these disparities. Full article

Risk assessment instruments are widely used in U.S. juvenile justice systems to predict recidivism. However, concerns persist that these tools may embed systemic inequities by relying on indicators shaped by racialized disadvantage and community-level deprivation. This study examines whether race/ethnicity, detention and placement histories, and neighborhood disadvantage predict juvenile recidivism, and whether these effects vary across contexts. Using public data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and a longitudinal cohort of 2877 youth (11,508 assessments, 2015–2018), generalized estimating equations modeled rearrest within 365 days. Detention history significantly predicted rearrest; placement history showed limited effects. Neighborhood disadvantage did not predict rearrest directly but significantly amplified the effect of prior detention. Race and SDI interactions revealed divergent patterns across groups. These findings underscore the need to contextualize risk assessments within structural inequities and to reform predictive tools to support equity-centered, rehabilitative decision-making. Full article

This study aimed to analyze the attitudes of Toledo University students toward gender and violence, as well as their sexist beliefs, considering different sociodemographic variables, and to examine the associations between these attitudes and the expression of sexism. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, which was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. The study population consisted of 1176 students who completed an online survey that collected sociodemographic information and incorporated the Questionnaire of Attitudes toward Gender and Violence (CAGV), along with measures of hostile and benevolent sexism derived from the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). A descriptive analysis, an inferential analysis and a Pearson correlation were performed for the scores of the two scales used, controlling for the influence of sex and age. Among the participants, 67.1% were women and 32.0% were men. The average age was 20.1 years, with a deviation of 2.2 years, and the age was between 18 and 26 years. This work was carried out in several Faculties of the Campus. The results highlight the significant differences between the groups of men and women in both questionnaires. In general, men have higher scores than women do, so they have higher sexist attitudes and beliefs. The correlations between both questionnaires are significant among all categories. We believe that the data analyzed call for the implementation of action plans to reduce sexist behavior in university students. Universities must establish action plans against gender violence. Full article

With billions of users worldwide, social media has become a powerful force in shaping lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity (PA), particularly among young adults. This narrative review examined the growing role of social media–driven interventions in promoting PA among young adults at risk of obesity. We analyzed the application of behavior change theories, including Social Cognitive Theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior, the COM-B, and specific behavior change techniques, alongside the role of intersectionality in shaping intervention effectiveness. Platform-specific strategies across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook were summarized, highlighting engagement mechanisms, personalized content delivery, and behavior change approaches that influence behavioral, physiological, and motivational outcomes. Despite these opportunities, challenges such as ethical concerns, misinformation, accessibility barriers, and quality control issues remained significant. Finally, future directions were outlined, including integration with wearables, AI-driven multi-platform strategies, co-designed interventions, and policy frameworks to optimize digital health promotion. In conclusion, social media offers considerable potential as a cost-effective, accessible tool for promoting PA and preventing obesity in young adults, though effectiveness is limited by misinformation, unregulated content, and poor quality control. Full article

This study investigated the rehabilitation process of justice-involved youth in Shushan rehabilitation centers, marking the first evaluation of this program. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 male participants at various stages of rehabilitation. Results revealed three primary themes: the challenges of the rehabilitation process, participants’ perspectives on success, and how young individuals perceive the outcomes of the process. The study concludes that rehabilitation is a dynamic and multifaceted process that extends beyond the institutional setting. It underscores the importance of post-rehabilitation support systems, such as mentoring and employment assistance, in ensuring sustainable reintegration. The article offers practical suggestions for policymakers. Full article

This study, aimed at producing a contextualised positive youth development framework for socially and economically disadvantaged youths in Singapore, is an initial youth project phase for profiling this population through explanatory mixed-methods research. The online survey was conducted for 843 secondary school students. The questionnaire was guided by two PYD models—5/6 Cs and 40 developmental assets—based on Buenconsejo and Datu’s integrative ecological perspective. After data collection, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to find the underlying factors by using the Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) extraction method and Promax with Kaiser Normalisation rotation. A 31-item survey questionnaire was finalised after the EFA, identifying an underlying seven-factor structure to establish the Integrated Positive Youth Development (IPYD) framework. This study provided groundbreaking application of PYD in a non-Western context and strategic insights into how the strengths of disadvantaged youths in Singapore could be encouraged in a manner that is culturally knowledgeable. Full article

The political participation of marginalized young people has gained increasing attention in both research and policy. This study examines the role of funding programs as meso-level infrastructures that mediate political strategies and local practice, aiming to strengthen the political participation of marginalized young people. Drawing on desk research and two expert focus groups at national and European levels, it explores how such programs can be designed to effectively reach and support young people who have not yet participated, or have only rarely participated, in political processes. The analysis focuses on four key dimensions: (1) conceptual frameworks and contextual factors, (2) the positioning of programs within broader structures and cross-sectoral strategies, (3) the inherent logic of administrative structures, and (4) programs’ responsiveness to the needs of practitioners and young people. Results show that finding answers to the question of how programs need to be designed in order to better promote the political participation of marginalized young people, cannot be obtained by looking exclusively at the program level but require an analysis of the relationships to the macro- (political strategies, concepts, structural changes) and the micro-level (implementation practices in projects by professionals and young people). The findings highlight the critical mediating role of programs as both a bridge and a lever between policymakers and young people/professionals in shaping access, and identify several enabling factors: moving beyond deficit-oriented narratives, strengthening bottom-up feedback mechanisms, increasing flexibility and support in administrative procedures, and recognizing the importance of local infrastructures. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the implementation dynamics at the meso-level and underlines the need for long-term, coherent, coordinated, and context-sensitive approaches in youth participation policy. Full article

Information on care leaver outcomes in England is collected by local authorities to inform local services and national policy, but the focus of these measures reflects a narrow definition of ‘success’ imposed on care leavers by policy-makers and practitioners. Our article is a co-production by academics and care-experienced consultants, in which we conduct a rapid review of the journal articles, book chapters and Doctoral dissertations on definitions of ‘success’ for all young adults, drawing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The analysis utilises expertise by experience to (a) compare these definitions against the measures currently collected for care leavers in England, and (b) centre the views of care leavers in considering how ‘success’ should be defined. We identify limitations of both depth and breadth in existing statutory outcome measures as indicators of success, and highlight how both quantitative and qualitative differences between care leavers and other young adults have implications for the types of outcomes that should be measured. We conclude that policy-makers and practitioners need a more comprehensive approach to understanding and measuring success using care leavers’ own definitions. Full article

This article examines how young adults in higher education (Generation Z) perceive the usefulness of ChatGPT by analyzing five learning-support roles within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Expectation–Confirmation Theory (ECT), and Task–Technology Fit (TTF). Drawing on an online survey of 409 students from Polish universities and nonparametric analyses, this study consistently finds that students rate ChatGPT’s potential higher than its current usefulness. The tool is evaluated most favorably as a tutor, task assistant, text editor, and teacher, while its motivational role is rated least effective. Usage patterns matter: students who used ChatGPT for writing tasks rated its assistance with educational assignments more highly, and those who used it for learning activities rated its teaching role more strongly. The strongest evaluations appear when model capabilities such as structuring, summarizing, step-by-step explanations, and personalization align with task requirements. By integrating TAM, ECT, and TTF, this study advances evidence on how Gen Z engages with conversational AI and offers practical guidance for educators, support services, and youth-focused policymakers on equitable and responsible use. Full article

Pacific youth in Aotearoa New Zealand are culturally diverse and deeply rooted in their families and communities. Despite facing socioeconomic inequities, systemic barriers, and limited decision-making opportunities, they maintain a positive perception of health and actively contribute to collective wellbeing. This paper explores the strengths of Pacific youth and how these can be harnessed to mobilise community wellbeing and transformative change. Using Pacific research methodologies—lalaga (weaving) and talanoa—we integrate findings from three key sources: the Talavou o le Moana Pacific Youth19 Report (quantitative data from 1130 Pacific youth), the Pacific Youth Home and Family Brief (open-text responses on family life), and insights from a panel of Pacific policy, research, and community experts presented in a webinar. These resources were reviewed and woven together by a team of three Pacific practitioners and one New Zealand European researcher, all with backgrounds in youth health, social work, and Pacific education. The lalaga reveals Pacific youth’s collective strength, cultural identity, and deep sense of responsibility. Their resilience and leadership, even amid adversity, highlight the urgent need for culturally grounded, youth-led, and community-responsive approaches. Empowering Pacific youth as agents of change is essential for fostering holistic wellbeing and transformative futures. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an 8-week reverse Nordic exercise training (RNET) program on physical fitness in male youth soccer players. A total of 35 players participated in the study and were divided into two groups: the RNET group (n = 19, age 16.39 ± 0.46 years) and the active control group (CG: n = 16, age 16.53 ± 0.48 years). To assess fitness changes, participants were tested on linear sprint speed (5, 10, and 20 m sprints), change-of-direction (CiD) speed (505-CiD), vertical jump (countermovement jump [CMJ]), horizontal jump (standing long jump [SLJ]), drop jump (20 cm drop jump [DJ-20]), and repeated sprint ability (RSA). Significant group-by-time interactions were observed (effect size, [ES] = 0.70 to 1.37), with substantial improvements in the RNET group across linear sprint, CiD, and jumping performances (ES = 0.61 to 1.47), while no significant changes were noted in the CG. However, no significant group-by-time interactions were observed for RSA parameters. Individual response analysis revealed that 63–89% of RNET group exhibited improvements exceeding the smallest worthwhile change (SWC_0.2) threshold. These results suggest that the RNET program is both effective and safe for enhancing physical fitness in male youth soccer players. Full article

Ethnic and racial bias peaks during middle childhood. The development of internal motivation to respond without prejudice (IMRWP, i.e., a desire to act according to internalized beliefs about equality) and external motivation to respond without prejudice (EMRWP, i.e., the desire to appear non-prejudicial in order to avoid social censure or rejection) may help to reduce children’s racial bias. However, IMRWP and EMRWP have almost exclusively been studied among adults. The current review seeks to situate IMRWP and EMRWP research within established developmental psychological theories in order to provide a framework for needed research in this area. We describe how peer norms may contribute to or hinder internal and external MRWP development over the course of middle childhood. We consider same- and cross-ethnicity/race friendships as possible sources of IMRWP development. Finally, we address the potential for schools to contribute to both IMRWP and EMRWP development through policies that emphasize intergroup contact and education about race and racism. Given the urgent threat that ethnic and racial prejudice poses to society, better understanding the development of motivations to respond without prejudice from early in life is critical. Full article

This descriptive phenomenological study investigated counsellors’ perceptions of their multicultural responsiveness and related counselling competencies. Accordingly, we employed a phenomenological research design to investigate these perceptions. Our study focused on 15 participants located in Canada between 25 and 60 years old, all with over three years of experience working in immigration. They completed a 90 min, in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interview about their perceptions of their cultural competence while working with newcomer youth. Results were developed to include four significant categories highlighting the critical role of counsellor awareness, knowledge, and skills, as well as the multicultural counselling relationship. These findings highlight the way multicultural counselling competencies need to be targeted when working with young newcomers in their host country. Implications for practice, training, research, and policy are presented. Full article

Transitions from care into adulthood are often a shift from dependence to independence. Yet for care-experienced individuals, this process is neither linear nor complete at a predetermined age. Despite progressive Scottish policies—such as The Promise—many still face unequal access to support. This article explores how structural and relational scaffolding can transform outcomes. Drawing on the lived and professional knowledge of three care-experienced authors, it examines how language, relationship-based practice, and support influence definitions of success. Reframing care experience as lifelong challenges systems to provide enduring, person-centered support. While research affirms the importance of responsive scaffolding, few studies center the voices of care-experienced adults in defining what effective support looks like. This article addresses that gap by placing care-experienced authors not as subjects, but as analysts and advocates. The article is based on a collaborative, care-informed reflective process. The authors adapted the Gibbs Reflective Cycle to suit a trauma-aware and relational approach. Their reflections are not anecdotal—they are critically analyzed, thematically structured, and used as evidence to interrogate systems and propose alternatives. Key findings highlight the importance of sustained relational practice, responsive educational support, and recognizing care experience as lifelong. Full article