Enhancing Youth Well-being Through Community Engagement

Students collaborated extensively to address specific questions assigned by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). They reached out to youth participants using their social networks and conducted online interviews via Microsoft Teams. These interviews were guided by structured and standardized questions to ensure consistency. The students recorded, transcribed, and analyzed responses systematically using coding techniques, such as inductive and deductive coding, to identify key themes and patterns.

The decision-making process involved organizing and synthesizing interview data in coding software, such as Excel and Atlas.ti, to distill insights. Students engaged in iterative discussions to refine their findings and propose actionable recommendations.

Key Insights

1. Youth Friendships and Support Systems:
   • Friendships often form through schools, mutual friends, and online platforms.
   • Emotional and spiritual support are key benefits provided by communities, helping youth with personal growth and academic success.
   • Recommendations: Initiatives including gamified digital platforms or neighborhood bonding events to strengthen youth friendships.
2. Romantic Relationships
   • Common barriers include mismatched expectations, communication challenges, and fear of vulnerability.
   • Recommendations: Develop programs to educate youth on healthy relationships and create opportunities for authentic connections through events and digital resources.
3. Social Media and Mental Well-being:
   • Social media offers both positive (e.g., inspiration, socialization) and negative impacts (e.g., emotional distress, social comparison).
   • Recommendations: Gamified apps for social media detox and interactive campaigns to promote mental well-being among youth.
4. Parent-Youth Relationships:
   • Key factors include shared activities, expressiveness, and cohesiveness.
   • Recommendations: Enhance family routines through initiatives such as "Eat with Your Family Day" and educate youth on maintaining close relationships with parents.