What does my future look like? A Photovoice study of the barriers and facilitators identified by African American urban teens

The leading causes of death among adolescents in the United States are unintentional accidents, followed by homicide, and suicide; the major causes of morbidity are related to substance use, sexual and reproductive health, and obesity. Community and public health interventions targeting youth often focus on strategies designed to reduce risky behaviors and encourage healthy lifestyles. However these programs may not address the most visible and immediate concerns of teens. Moreover, interventions often focus on individuals and peers, but do not address factors at the community and institutional level. An understanding of the influence of community and institutional factors in shaping the life course of teens may identify new approaches and improve the effectiveness of interventions. Using the community-based participatory research method Photovoice, we captured the experiences of 18 African American high school students living in an urban community in the US. The students photographed and described both facilitators and barriers to their future at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, institutional and policy levels. Intrapersonal strengths and community barriers dominated their photographs and discussions. Teens expressed their views that individual characteristics, such as self-reliance and self-motivation, determine future success. In addition, completing a high school education, support from their community centers, and the presence of caring adults/mentors were identified as important facilitators to their futures. Teens identified concerns about the safety of their community, a need for role models and mentoring, and the absence of males/fathers as major barriers. Gun violence, gambling, and prescription drug and alcohol addiction, were identified as community norms and specific barriers to obtaining their future goals. They also expressed caution about life events, peer pressure and “limits” as influences that could derail a positive future. These photos, with their titles and captions, were brought together as a film for presentation to local policy makers.