Exploring PYD and the Development of Critical Consciousness for Youth of Color

• In Event: Examining How Critical Consciousness is Fostered, Facilitated, and Performed Among Young People Across the US

Abstract

Adolescents of color experiencing chronic environmental stress (e.g., exposure to community violence, structural inequality) are at high risk for negative outcomes. However, such youth have not been sufficiently included in mental health care and intervention research aimed at addressing such challenges, in that they often suffer from negative societal narratives and a focus on deficits-based pathology. To shift this paradigm, it is imperative to identify strengths among youth of color to aid in the development of services from a strengths-based approach. Concepts drawn from the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework identify prosocial behaviors that suggest positive outcomes for youth. Fostering critical consciousness in participatory action research for young people can potentially build their capacity to address the social inequalities that they face while working as co-designers and co-evaluators of services, thus promoting youth empowerment. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to examine the role of positive youth development on youth mental health as well as the development of critical consciousness in a community-based, participatory mentoring intervention. Specifically, we examined the relationship between the 5 C’s of PYD and the likelihood of externalizing behaviors among urban youth of color from four high-poverty, high-crime communities participating in a community-based cross-age peer mentoring program in Chicago, IL (N = 148, 34% male). After controlling for program attendance, age, federal crime statistics, and baseline contribution, simultaneous hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that higher levels of the 5 C’s predicted to higher levels of contribution overtime, in line with previous literature and theory (Lerner et al., 2005; R2 = .221, F(5, 148) = 3.89, p <.02). Moreover, higher levels of the 5C’s significantly predicted lower levels of delinquency over time (R2 = .133, F(5, 148) = 3.70, p <.004 and more adaptive beliefs about nonviolence over time (R2 = .133, F(5, 130) = 2.64, p <.036). In addition, at the conclusion of the program, a subsample of participants (N = 64, 33% male) completed qualitative peer-led interviews, focus groups, and exit interviews about their time spent in the cross-age peer mentoring program. Transcripts of the interviews were reviewed and coded thematically based on the key areas of interest from the topics discussed by the youth. The qualitative analyses of the interviews revealed three broad themes related to their involvement in the project that demonstrate concepts drawn from critical consciousness: collective reflection on oppression as a base for resilience, opportunities to be agents of change in their communities, and promotion of leadership abilities. The findings suggest the value of the PYD framework for psychosocial outcomes for youth of color as well as the importance of including youth engagement strategies in programs aimed at promoting critical consciousness.

Authors

• Ogechi Onyeka, Loyola University Chicago
  Presenting Author

• Kevin Miller, Loyola University Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chana Matthews, Loyola University Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author

• Will Donnelly, Loyola University Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author

• Maryse H Richards, Loyola University Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author

• Katherine Tyson-McCrea, Loyola University Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author