The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57833

Sherer W. Royce, MPH, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Coastal Carolina University, P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528-6054, 843-349-2687, sroyce@coastal.edu, Deborah Parra-Medina, PhD, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, and DeAnne K. H. Messias, PhD, RN, College of Nursing and Women's Studies, University of South Carolina, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208.

Youth are often characterized by typical adolescent risk taking behaviors. Our national sentiment does not embrace youth as productive members in the adult world. In fact, they are considered problems, community liabilities, and recipients rather than resources. A public health problem exists and at the heart of it is the negative societal view adults have of youth. Therefore, opportunities for youth to participate as adults such as providing viewpoints, participating in decision making, demonstrating responsibility or contributing to economic well-being are not emphasized in many communities. When opportunities are present, they are often token at best. Instead, many more opportunities exist for youth to participate in destructive and risk taking behaviors such as tobacco use. Youth development and empowerment (YD&E) represents a paradigm shift in tobacco use prevention efforts that have traditionally focused on risk reduction. This concept is grounded in a philosophy that places value on all youth, not just those at risk, and emphasizes building their strengths and potential for development and resiliency. The current research uses a participatory action research model to engage youth participating in community- based programs in a process called Photovoice. The objective of this Photovoice project is to provide youth an opportunity to document their perspectives on youth empowerment and convey their viewpoints to programs that build youth potential and address community change. The findings from this activity will be presented. Discussion will highlight activities youth find meaningful and the environments they perceive as fostering youth empowerment.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning Objective 1: At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to describe what is meaningful and empowering for youth participating in community change.
• Learning Objective 2: At the end of the presentation, attendees will realize the value of Photovoice as a needs assessment methodology for youth.
• Learning Objective 3: At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to name supports and barriers for youth engagement in a Photovoice activity.

Keywords: Photovoice, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.