152 - Prioritizing Youth Liberation in the Evaluation Process: Reflections from Youth Research Workshops with LGBTQ+ Adolescents

Abstract Information: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a national, biennial survey run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that measures the health behaviors (e.g., substance use, mental health, and sexual health) of U.S. high school students. To support health equity, we use pooled jurisdictional YRBS data to explore the lives of sexual minority youth and heterosexual youth through an intersectional lens (e.g., sex, race/ethnicity). Much of our research comes from secondary data analysis methods. While this is useful, a significant context is missing – the input of youth voices themselves. Our team sought to find a way to connect with sexual minority youth about the YRBS through our Youth Research Workshops (YRWs). In the currently tumultuous anti-LGBTQ+ political and social climate, understanding LGBTQ+ youth perspectives is a necessity. To work with youth in ways that heal and stop further trauma from being inflicted, engagement methods rooted in youth liberation and in this case, principles of LGBTQ+ evaluation should be prioritized. Our Youth Research Workshop (YRW) structure aims to create a mutually beneficial relationship where youth learn valuable research skills while they help us understand youth priorities for research. To ensure YRWs reached a national audience, we partnered with LGBTQ+ youth-serving organizations in the four YRBS regions. Meetings were held with each organization and a representative from our team where we discussed recruitment strategies, and eligibility guidelines, and planned 4 monthly 1-hour sessions held on Zoom or Discord. The YRW sessions began in February 2022. Our curriculum consisted of the following sessions: 1) Research Basics, 2) Research Literacy & Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Basics, 3) YRBS Question Discussion & Research Findings of Interest, and 4) Dissemination Discussion & Resource Connection. Marking the completion of the inaugural YRW cohorts in the summer of 2022, participating youth and facilitators provided us with feedback through a survey for evaluation purposes. Our team examined the results from these final exit surveys, all exit surveys from previous sessions, and notes taken by our facilitators during the meetings. An evaluation of all feedback from these resources showed that youth were knowledgeable about the U.S. policy landscape, especially regarding anti-trans legislation and rhetoric in the United States. Youth also admired and appreciated seeing LGBTQ+ and racially diverse representation among facilitators and participants. Results also showed that participants valued time to discuss their experiences and engage in interactive activities. When looking at facilitator responses, they shared that scheduling time with all youth was challenging, given a variety of schedules that included school and extra-curricular activities. Similarly to youth, the facilitators also expressed gratitude and wanted more time for discussion. Although successful in youth engagement, there are more steps YRWs can take to ensure youth liberatory practices. This may mean reaching out to the former cohorts or other youth at our partner organizations before anything is planned but funding is secured to create a planning committee or youth advisory board (YAB) for the YRWs.