762 - Screens and Teens: A youth participatory action research approach to developing a survey to assess adolescent sexual health risks in the digital age

Publication Number: 762.6301

Ashley Vandermorris, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Soliana Lijiam, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Naba Khan, The Hospital for Sick Children, toronto, ON, Canada; Michelle WY. Tam, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; William B. Mazin, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Stephanie Begun, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Charles DG. Keown-Stoneman, Unity Health Toronto, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Jannah M. Wigle, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Dana Arafeh, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Julie Skelding, The Hospital for Sick children, Oakville, ON, Canada; Jonathon maguire, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Birken S. Catherine, Sickkids, toronto, ON, Canada; Alene Toulany, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, ON, Canada

Background: Adolescence is a critical time of self-discovery and development, particularly in the realm of social relationships and sexuality. Screens play a significant role in the way that young people interact with their friends, community, and surrounding world. Digital spaces can provide outlets to access sexual health knowledge and peer support, however, they can also expose adolescents to sexual health risks. Research shows that screen use in early childhood is associated with impacts on developmental and health outcomes later in life. However, the longitudinal effects of early screen use on sexual health risks in adolescence have not been thoroughly assessed.

Objective: Applying a youth participatory action research (YPAR) approach, this study describes the process of co-designing a novel survey that meaningfully integrated the present-day experiences of adolescents to explore the potential impacts of early screen use on subsequent sexual health attitudes and behaviours.

Design/Methods: Two youth primary investigators engaged from the initial stages of the study aided in the recruitment of six youth researchers with diverse lived experiences. A co-designed YPAR training curriculum equipped them with knowledge on sexual and adolescent health, skills for leadership and collaboration, and methodology for survey development. Existing validated surveys and literature were screened for potential questions, and deliberation occurred in sub-groups to reach consensus on inclusion and modification. Through self-led planning and discussion, the youth research team selected the most significant and meaningful survey questions.

Results: The youth research team developed a survey that consisted of nine sections: (1) gender and sexual orientation, (2) media and communication, (3) sources of information and attitudes, (4) relationships and dating, (5) sexual activity, (6) sexual knowledge and attitudes, (7) dating apps, (8) cybersex, and (9) pornography. The survey was designed to be age-inclusive, considerate of participant comfort, and attentive to youth-accessible language. Questions that were entirely newly developed by the youth research team covered areas such as social media platforms, self-image, and consent.

Conclusion(s): The YPAR approach used in the study was conducive to producing a survey that supports young people’s concerns and priorities for sexual and reproductive health among Canadian youth. Embedding youth in sexual health research beyond the role of advisors, but rather as co-creators, facilitates the construction of knowledge and tools that are relevant, responsive, and culturally-informed for adolescents.