2012/08/08 by Emily J. Ozer, Laura Douglas · 6 citations
Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Community Health and Development #Participatory Visual Research Methods #Youth Development and Social Support
paper · doi:10.1007/s10464-012-9546-2
openalex publication_date 2012/08/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27
Although there is much practice of community-based participatory research in economically-developing countries and increasingly in North America, there has been little systematic assessment of empowerment effects. Youth-led participatory research holds particular promise for fostering positive development and civic participation among economically disadvantaged urban youth. The present investigation uses a clustered-randomized, within-school experimental design to test the effects of youth-led participatory research on the psychological empowerment of 401 students attending urban public schools. We find that attending a participatory research elective class during the school day was associated with increases in sociopolitical skills, motivation to influence their schools and communities, and participatory behavior. We found no significant effects for perceived control at school. The implications for participatory research and related youth development interventions are discussed.