Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.6
1.7
Journals
Social Sciences
Special Issues
Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions
share announcement

Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760). This special issue belongs to the section "Childhood and Youth Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2024) | Viewed by 10179

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Carles Feixa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Communication, Pompeu Fabra University, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: social anthropology; cultural studies; adolescent development
Dr. Nele Hansen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Communication, Pompeu Fabra University, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: social and cultural anthropology; communication and language

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The sociology of the youth and youth cultures has left its youthful stage and has entered a phase of maturity. Since the mid-20th century, the youth in general, and youth cultures as an expression of identity that goes beyond the age group, have been studied as a metaphor for social change, the condensed image of a post-industrial society in transformation. During the first quarter of the 21st century, the digital world has been incorporated as a space for cultural expression and creativity, in which young people act as the vanguard of technological, social and mental transformations that are then transferred to the whole social body. Today, new generations of researchers from different social science fields (sociology, anthropology, social psychology, communication, education, etc.) are exploring youth cultures as a privileged research laboratory, where they can listen to emerging social trends. Nevertheless, research on youth implies important methodological and ethical challenges that are comparatively less shared and discussed. The field of methodology in youth research is still in need of improvement, development and critical reflections.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to compile the results of recent research on youth and youth cultures, from the perspective of the "toolbox" used and reflections on research methodologies and techniques, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed. It also will collect articles on ethics protocols and emotional involvement in fieldwork research with young people.

Studies and reflections on the following topics are welcomed:

  • Innovative methodologies applied to youth studies;
  • Participatory action research;
  • Comparative studies at the transnational level;
  • Metaethnography;
  • Autoethnography and autobiography;
  • Youth cultures and big data;
  • The transfer of research in youth: observatories, laboratories, activities;
  • Ethics in youth research;
  • Emotional involvement in fieldwork research with young people.

Prof. Dr. Carles Feixa
Dr. Nele Hansen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • youth
  • youth cultures
  • participatory research
  • methodology
  • techniques
  • ethnography
  • meta-ethnography
  • life stories
  • ethics
  • emotions

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 259 KiB  
Article
Researching Young People and Far-Right Populism
by Pam Nilan
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050270 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 559
Abstract
This paper considers the challenges facing qualitative researchers who study far-right populism and youth. First, there is the question of the method itself. Across the relevant literature, it seems more popular to use online methodologies rather than conduct face-to-face interviews. This is not [...] Read more.
This paper considers the challenges facing qualitative researchers who study far-right populism and youth. First, there is the question of the method itself. Across the relevant literature, it seems more popular to use online methodologies rather than conduct face-to-face interviews. This is not surprising given the difficulties of talking face-to-face with a specific cohort of young people who are often suspicious of outsiders and who may even pose a personal security risk to the interviewer. Second, the age, gender, and institutional status of a researcher may constitute an obstacle to the effectiveness of a face-to-face interview. Common features of far-right populism are mistrust of elites and misogyny. Moreover, the online world of youth today is a dynamic technological sphere that may be hard to grasp for someone from a previous generation. This paper is a reflective essay that uses examples of research in action. It aims to invite reader reflection on attuning research approaches to the lived experiences of youth drawn to far-right populism Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
21 pages, 765 KiB  
Article
Beyond Healthy Eating: The Broader Impact of the Food Boost Challenge’s Participatory Approach with Young People
by Wendy Scholtes-Bos, Machteld van Lieshout, Michelle H. I. van Roost and Sanne I. de Vries
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14040246 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 337
Abstract
The Food Boost Challenge (FBC) uses a community-up participatory action research approach to promote healthier eating habits among young people, aged 10–24 years old, by giving them a voice in food system change. This approach encourages turning ideas into action through collaboration with [...] Read more.
The Food Boost Challenge (FBC) uses a community-up participatory action research approach to promote healthier eating habits among young people, aged 10–24 years old, by giving them a voice in food system change. This approach encourages turning ideas into action through collaboration with young people, both adolescents and students, teachers, researchers, and food system partners. This study explored the impact of the FBC beyond its direct effect on healthy eating behavior, focusing on innovative idea generation and how participation affected young people and partners, at both the individual and community level, using indicators of community-based participatory action research. Ideas generated in various phases of the FBC were listed. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with young people, digital feedback surveys after group meetings, and informal discussions with partner representatives to explore the impact of participation in the FBC. The results demonstrate positive effects, including changes in participant’s attitudes toward healthy eating, skill development among young people, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. Along the lines of the Community-Based Participatory Research conceptual model, the Food Boost Challenge fostered trust development, mutual learning, and capacity building at both individual and community levels. In conclusion, utilizing a community-up participatory action research approach, the Food Boost Challenge shows significant promise in empowering young people and fostering community-level changes. To translate its generated innovative solutions into real impact, a structured implementation phase is essential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 532 KiB  
Article
Emotional Shifts and Recovery in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Retrospective Survey Among Adolescents in Vietnam
by Lam Thi Le, Johnston H. C. Wong and Mai-Huong Thi Phan
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14040227 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 389
Abstract
Recognizing widespread emotional and mental health issues among students during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to investigate whether recovery and resilience have emerged in the post-pandemic era. A retrospective survey was conducted with high school students in Da Nang, a Vietnamese tourist [...] Read more.
Recognizing widespread emotional and mental health issues among students during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to investigate whether recovery and resilience have emerged in the post-pandemic era. A retrospective survey was conducted with high school students in Da Nang, a Vietnamese tourist city that endured multiple waves of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022. The survey was conducted 18 months after Da Nang was locked down and had only recently entered the ‘new normal’ phase in early 2023. Results revealed that even though the pandemic had subsided, negative emotional experiences remained vivid in students’ memories, even when the pandemic was internationally declared to have ended. Fears of illness, death, isolation, losing social connections, and disruptions in academic paths still lingered. Nevertheless, a significant rebound from predominantly negative to positive emotions was observed among the young people. Understanding which negative emotions affected students the most will allow us to devise more targeted policies and provide more effective social services in response to similar public health crises in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 567 KiB  
Article
Challenges of the Researcher Based on Fieldwork About ‘Buchonas’
by Arturo Chacon Castañon
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14040208 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
This article aims to reflect on the digital ethnography (cyberethnography or netnography) and visual ethnography (using images and videos) focused on the figure of the buchona, which is situated within the context of the narcoculture in northern Mexico. The approach begins with a [...] Read more.
This article aims to reflect on the digital ethnography (cyberethnography or netnography) and visual ethnography (using images and videos) focused on the figure of the buchona, which is situated within the context of the narcoculture in northern Mexico. The approach begins with a general description of what is understood by narcoculture and its relationship with social networks; it addresses the representation of the buchona (a narcotrafficker’s girlfriend) within the dynamics of Instagram. This article highlights the challenge of observing research subjects (buchonas) associated with violent and dangerous environments (narcotrafficking), which requires alternative strategies that ensure the researcher’s safety while maintaining an ethical and rigorous perspective in interpreting empirical data as a phenomenological exercise. The discussion is framed by two main points: on one hand, netnography is considered a useful and necessary method since the scenarios being observed take place on Instagram (posts). As a result, this social network is embedded within the prevailing needs of the new youth in Mexico and the world, where visual content is central to its importance and impact. On the other hand, this article uncovers opportunities linked to the data collection and interpretation process, as a methodological challenge within cities facing security issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Ethical and Methodological Considerations in Research with Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Youth in European Cities
by Rik P. Huizinga, Peter Hopkins, Matthew C. Benwell, Mattias De Backer, Robin Finlay, Kathrin Hörschelmann, Elisabeth Kirndörfer and Ilse van Liempt
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14040204 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 405
Abstract
Research about the lived experiences of asylum-seeking and refugee youth can evoke powerful emotions for those involved. Young people who escaped perilous situations often bear strong emotions linked to their experiences of migration and displacement, as well as their encounters with disorientation, insecurity, [...] Read more.
Research about the lived experiences of asylum-seeking and refugee youth can evoke powerful emotions for those involved. Young people who escaped perilous situations often bear strong emotions linked to their experiences of migration and displacement, as well as their encounters with disorientation, insecurity, isolation, discrimination and racism in unfamiliar contexts in the host society. Such emotions and emotionally charged places can be challenging to work with as researchers and require reflexive and situated methodological and ethical judgements. This paper investigates the emotional complexities of fieldwork with vulnerable young people by reflecting on (dis)comfort and discusses how to negotiate these issues with care and consideration. It draws from qualitative participatory and creative fieldwork experiences using story mapping, photovoice, walk-along and community theatre approaches in Amsterdam, Brussels, Leipzig and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. It reports on a range of critical ethical and methodological issues that arose in our work that address meaningful relationships, reciprocity and trust, understanding the field, positionality and reflexivity, and challenges around the co-production of knowledge and leaving the field. Throughout, the paper flags various complex and, at times, ambiguous ethical and methodological issues that emerged throughout the research process and argues for research approaches that are sensitive to the contextual and multi-faceted nature of investigating young refugees and asylum seekers in European cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
15 pages, 217 KiB  
Article
Researching Young Women Associated with Gangs in El Salvador: The Role of Emotions, Trust, and Participatory Methodologies in Social Research
by Cándida Irene Chévez Reinoza and James Alexander Melenge Escudero
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(4), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14040201 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 319
Abstract
This article reflects on six years of work that implemented various participatory research methods with young women linked to gangs in El Salvador. The reflection focuses on the fundamental role of emotions and trust in contexts marked by violence and social exclusion. From [...] Read more.
This article reflects on six years of work that implemented various participatory research methods with young women linked to gangs in El Salvador. The reflection focuses on the fundamental role of emotions and trust in contexts marked by violence and social exclusion. From the Freirean perspective of popular education and the approaches of Haraway and Butler, it also analyzes how these participatory methodologies with an autobiographical focus contribute to the re-signification of identities, the construction of agency, and the creation of safe spaces for dialogue. Through methods such as the systematization of experiences, life narratives, and critical ethnography, not only was the complexity of the participants’ lived realities captured, but the investigative process also became a vehicle for empowerment and social transformation. This article highlights how the ethical management of emotions, combined with the construction of trust-based relationships and the use of an autobiographical approach in participatory methodologies, redefines research as a humanized and transformative practice in the study of stigmatized and excluded populations. The findings emphasize the recognition of the contribution participatory research makes in contexts of violence and exclusion for the design of public policies, programs, or reintegration strategies. This underscores the need to promote research lines and funding that advance such proposals from the social sciences, establishing them as key tools for structural transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
14 pages, 1770 KiB  
Article
Youth Are Not All the Same: On the Appropriateness and Limits of Participatory Methods in Youth Research
by Elena Butti
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(2), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14020083 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 752
Abstract
The field of youth studies has traditionally promoted participatory methods, assuming that young people prefer creativity over standard methods like traditional ethnography or one-to-one interviews. However, my experience in Medellín, Colombia, reveals complications. While youth with strong ties to civil society and activism [...] Read more.
The field of youth studies has traditionally promoted participatory methods, assuming that young people prefer creativity over standard methods like traditional ethnography or one-to-one interviews. However, my experience in Medellín, Colombia, reveals complications. While youth with strong ties to civil society and activism found comfort in participatory methods, youth who were out of school or in conflict with the law felt alienated by formalized processes and institutional spaces. Too often, participatory techniques homogenize youth perspectives, taking the views of socially engaged youth as representative of all youth. Researchers should instead acknowledge diverse youth experiences and employ different methods for different youth groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 247 KiB  
Article
Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece
by Stelios Pantazidis and Yannis Pechtelidis
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14010019 - 5 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1909
Abstract
This paper examines the role of commons-based activist ethnography in reshaping the dynamics between researchers and underprivileged mobile youth (UMY), focusing on the opportunities and ethical challenges of this approach. Conducted in youth centers in Thessaloniki, Greece, the study explores how trust, affect, [...] Read more.
This paper examines the role of commons-based activist ethnography in reshaping the dynamics between researchers and underprivileged mobile youth (UMY), focusing on the opportunities and ethical challenges of this approach. Conducted in youth centers in Thessaloniki, Greece, the study explores how trust, affect, and collaborative knowledge creation supported agency among UMY while confronting systemic barriers and power asymmetries. Using qualitative ethnographic methods, the research investigates the role of convivial spaces and the ambiance of the commons in creating meaningful connections and emotional resilience, enabling the participants to articulate aspirations and reclaim agency. The dual role of the researcher as an advocate and observer raised questions about representation and power dynamics. This paper contributes to discussions on activist ethnography by offering insights into its possibilities and limitations in advancing transformative research with marginalized populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
20 pages, 296 KiB  
Article
Gardening School to Support Youth Inclusion and Environmental Sustainability in Morocco
by Salma Idrissi Boutaybi, Tiia Hartikainen, Yahia Benyamina and Sofia Laine
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120687 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1389
Abstract
Youth research has, for decades, focused on examining current societal conditions and their potential shortcomings for young people in areas such as education, income, work, and gender equality. However, it has been less common to integrate planetary boundaries and so-called “overshoot” areas—such as [...] Read more.
Youth research has, for decades, focused on examining current societal conditions and their potential shortcomings for young people in areas such as education, income, work, and gender equality. However, it has been less common to integrate planetary boundaries and so-called “overshoot” areas—such as biodiversity loss or climate change—into youth research. This paradigm shift is increasingly necessary, as six out of nine planetary boundaries have already been crossed, and the planet remains on track for approximately 2.7 degrees Celsius (°C) peak warming by 2100. In addition to planetary threats, Morocco faces social challenges, particularly high unemployment. Unemployment is highest among young people aged 15 to 24, reaching 25% over the past decade, nearly double the global youth unemployment rate. This article analyzes a case study we refer to as the “Gardening School” in Morocco, a country facing significant climate stress. It aims to (a) explore new methods for conducting more globally oriented youth research that is ethical and environmentally friendly and (b) examine the wellbeing of young people and their environment, as well as how to support and strengthen both. The findings of this article highlight the potential for youth research to develop new approaches, especially when conducted alongside young people and educational and sustainable environments. These environments enable younger generations to deepen their connection to and understanding of biodiversity, sustainability, and climate change, while learning to use natural resources in a sustainable and ethical manner. This approach ultimately aims to ensure a livable future for the coming generations and foster sustainable employment opportunities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
21 pages, 5813 KiB  
Article
Audiovisual Ethnography, Community Cinema, and Youth Participation: Filmed and Filming Fieldwork Experiences from Chile
by Víctor Villegas-Campillo
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120671 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 926
Abstract
This article examines audiovisual ethnography as an anthropological method to understanding community cinema and youth participation through the audiovisual chain of a film piece, which encompasses the processes of watching, making, and exhibiting as an integrated sequence. This chain allows us to understand [...] Read more.
This article examines audiovisual ethnography as an anthropological method to understanding community cinema and youth participation through the audiovisual chain of a film piece, which encompasses the processes of watching, making, and exhibiting as an integrated sequence. This chain allows us to understand the dynamics of youth participation in all stages of audiovisual production, from creating an idea through production to the reception by the community. To this end, the relationship between participatory audiovisual practices and the promotion of youth mental health is explored through the case study “Aquí Nos Vemos Program”, which involves the creation of audiovisual narratives as a means of emotional and community expression. Fieldwork in Pudahuel, Santiago, Chile, provides ethnographic data on the creative audiovisual processes of young people around cinema and how these activities foster recognition and improvement of youth well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2010 KiB  
Article
Youth Photographed: Methodologies for Visual Analysis
by Marcela Saa-Espinoza and Oscar Aguilera-Ruiz
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(10), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13100547 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1397
Abstract
In this article, we propose a methodological reflection based on the work with photographs of youth published in print media in Chile during the 20th century. We use our proposal for qualitative analysis, which includes intentional work with visual culture, the creation of [...] Read more.
In this article, we propose a methodological reflection based on the work with photographs of youth published in print media in Chile during the 20th century. We use our proposal for qualitative analysis, which includes intentional work with visual culture, the creation of our own archives, and the development of tools for individual and group analysis of photographs. We propose two specific strategies for the analysis of photographs: the first is “layered analysis”, and the second is “group or panel analysis”, which allows for linking images, culture, and youth. We trust that this methodological reflection will contribute to the study of youth and stimulate debate in the field of study itself. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Researching Youth on the Move: Methods, Ethics and Emotions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-11
Back to TopTop