Overview
This behavioral intervention study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Youth Empowered Advocating for Health (YEAH) on youth prosocial behavior and aggressive behavior and assess racial identity and future orientation as mediators of prevention effects.
Description
Structural determinants of violence such as residential segregation, concentrated poverty, and limited access to education and employment, disproportionately affect Black youth. This group subsequently faces the highest rates of violence exposure and related injuries, with homicide being a leading cause of death. In addition, the consequences of violence exposure include academic decline, psychological issues, and chronic health conditions.
It is important to address the long-lasting effects of structural violence among Black youth including emotional distress and eroding family and community ties. Current violence prevention methods often overlook the impact of structural violence.
The proposed solution is a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) intervention, called Youth Empowered Advocating for Health (YEAH), which aims to empower Black youth and improve their outcomes. The YEAH program, developed over ten years in partnership with youth, focuses on empowering youth to explore topics of concern in their community and generate solutions. This study will evaluate YEAH's effectiveness in reducing community violence in Metro Atlanta, emphasizing community healing and empowerment as well as narrative change as vital strategies for prevention.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Identify their race or ethnicity as Black or African American
- Speak English
- Able to understand the project and give full consent to participate if eligible
- Have a parent or guardian provide consent for them to participate
- Member of Boys and Girls Clubs or other Youth Serving Organization (YEAH immediate intervention and delayed intervention groups)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Non-English speakers