Wirkungsnachweis aus der Literatur
NEU
feeling of inclusion, acceptance and safeness
psychosoziales Befinden
LYG offers a community that feels inclusive, accepting and safe, a place where young people feel comfortable, which in turn improves loneliness. Crucially, LYG feels like a “safe space” which “gives you community” (Sophie). This prevents loneliness by offering somewhere where young people feel they belong: the activities offered are inclusive to all abilities, and “in a way that expresses everyone” (Emily). Generally, LYG encourages equality and acceptance of all sorts of young people: “they encourage equality so it will make people who feel isolated in other groups of people, feel less isolated because they feel accepted” (Sophie). This perception of acceptance has the power to generalize to other relationships “you start believing other people will accept you, if [LYG] will accept you as well” (Jane). One young person noted “you can tell that [the staff] care about all of them” (Sophie).
Beschreibung der Aktivität
Local youth group (LYG)
LYG is an inclusive project offering after-school sessions and projects in a suburb of Birmingham. The group has high levels of attendance from children living in poverty, care, and with disabilities or mental health issues. Information about special educational needs was obtained from the group coordinator from participants’ records. Youth sessions are a mixture of free time and organized group activities, and in school holidays trips and projects are planned.
Großbritannien
13-18 years old
teilnehmende Kinder und Jugendliche
Evaluierung der Aktivität
Interview Description: Eight thirty-minute individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews used a mix of open and closed questions. The schedule aimed to investigate adolescents’ experiences and opinions on loneliness, firstly discussing loneliness in young people and then their ideas of its causes. Metaphor maps were used to facilitate discussion of how to define loneliness and causes of loneliness. Following adolescents’ unprompted responses on the map, we added ER, self-esteem and PCR in a different color pen to encourage discussion of these factors. We then gathered information about the impact of LYG for them on both their ideas of causes of loneliness, and emotion regulation, self-esteem and the PCR. Questions were asked to explore their views on what helps and hinders loneliness. We used optional filler questions about hobbies to reduce demand characteristics and facilitate discussion with those who were hesitant, and empathy cues within the text to ensure sensitivity and reduce social desirability bias, e.g. “that sounds like a difficult time”. Before ending, a verbal debrief summarized the aims and anticipated outcomes. Focus Group Description: Groups had five participants, a number deemed small enough for everyone to offer insight whilst maintaining diversity of opinion (Krueger & Casey, 2014). To begin, the participants were reminded of the information sheet and asked to sign a consent form (for children under 16, this was an assent form since parental consent was already obtained). The schedule centered on what can be done to alleviate youth loneliness within services like LYG, and how barriers can be addressed to create a wider reach. A metaphor map was used again, where participants collaboratively produced a diagram to represent their ideas. The researcher asked participants to feedback their ideas and documented these on a whiteboard to facilitate discussion, after which a debrief was offered.
14 adolescents