Enhancing researcher capacity to engage youth in research: Researchers’ engagement experiences, barriers and capacity development priorities

Abstract

BackgroundThere is increasing emphasis on engaging youth in research about youth, their needs, experiences and preferences, notably in health services research. By engaging youth as full partners, research becomes more feasible and relevant, and the validity and richness of findings are enhanced. Consequently, researchers need guidance in engaging youth effectively. This study examines the experiences, needs and knowledge gaps of researchers.MethodsEighty‐four researchers interested in youth engagement training were recruited via snowball sampling. They completed a survey regarding their youth engagement experiences, attitudes, perceived barriers and capacity development needs. Data were analysed descriptively, and comparisons were made based on current engagement experience.ResultsParticipants across career stages and disciplines expressed an interest in increased capacity development for youth engagement. They had positive attitudes about the importance and value of youth engagement, but found it to be complex. Participants reported requiring practical guidance to develop their youth engagement practices and interest in a network of youth‐engaged researchers and on‐going training. Those currently engaging youth were more likely to report the need for greater appreciation of youth engagement by funders and institutions.ConclusionsEngaging youth in research has substantial benefits. However, skills in collaborating with youth to design, conduct and implement research have to be learned. Researchers need concrete training and networking opportunities to develop and maximize these skills. They also need mechanisms that formally acknowledge the value of engagement. Researchers and those promoting youth engagement in research are encouraged to consider these findings in their promotion and training endeavours.

INNOVATE Research: Impact of a workshop to develop researcher capacity to engage youth in research

“…Barriers and capacity development needs expressed prior to the workshop are presented in a companion manuscript. 26 That paper shows that while interest in and attitudes towards youth-engaged research were strong, skill development and practical training opportunities were found to be an important capacity development need.…”

‘It reshaped how I will do research’: A qualitative exploration of team members’ experiences with youth and family engagement in a randomized controlled trial

“…Several studies have outlined potential barriers to youth engagement, such as limited practical resources and funding 40,41 . Despite the value of engagement, participants also highlighted barriers, such as time and funding constraints.…”

“…Engagement is increasingly valued by research organizations, such as the Strategy for Patient‐Oriented Research at the Canadian Institute for Health Research in Canada 45 and the Patient‐Centered Outcome Research Institute in the United States 46 . It is important to increase researchers’ capacity for youth and family engagement, through capacity development initiatives such as the INNOVATE Research project 18,40 . However, future work is needed to enhance and scale youth and family engagement practices.…”

“…38,39 Several studies have outlined potential barriers to youth engagement, such as limited practical resources and funding. 40,41 Despite the value of engagement, participants also highlighted barriers, such as time and funding constraints. These findings align with a study by Harrison et al 39 and a systematic review by Domecq et al 13 on service user engagement in research, where time constraints (e.g., more time needed for research) were seen as major barriers to engagement.…”

Examining the implementation of the Icelandic model for primary prevention of substance use in a rural Canadian community: a study protocol

“…A participatory evaluation workshop will be implemented to identify research questions and methods of interest and will present principles of evaluation and participatory research and a discussion to reflect on major issues of interest related to the intervention. Congruent with participatory approaches, the research team has successfully collaborated with youth in the past to co-create research questions and methods [26,30,60,61]. Research questions have often focused on current issues affecting youth.…”