Journal article
Participatory Action Research to Explore the Role of Structural Violence on Marginalized and Racialized Young Parents
Health education & behavior, v 51(2), pp 229-239
01 Apr 2024
PMID: 37746721
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Structural inequities influence young parents' access to health care, housing, transportation, social support, education, and income. The current study adds to the extant literature by providing data directly obtained in collaboration with young parents to understand how structural violence affects the health and well-being of their families, ultimately resulting in community-driven policy recommendations developed in collaboration with the state health department. We engaged a diverse sample of young people-considered as community researchers in the project-including Black, Latinx, and/or LGBTQ+ pregnant and parenting young parents in a participatory action research (PAR) project in the spring of 2022 to explore their health and material needs while living in Springfield, Massachusetts. Together with young parents, we used participatory arts-based methods to conduct community and identity building, define research questions and photo prompts, conduct data collection (photos), engage in group thematic analysis, and take action at the state policy level. We also conducted individual semi-structured life-history interviews with the young parents. Participatory community-led findings indicate an urgent need for systemic change to increase access to safe and affordable housing; living-wage jobs; safe, high-quality, and affordable child care; and to bolster social support and disabilities services for young parents and their families. This participatory study funded by a state health department demonstrates that participatory community-driven data can have the power to mobilize community members and policy makers for social change if prioritized at the state and local levels. Additional practice-based implications include prioritizing participatory mentorship programs intended to aid young parents in navigating the complex systems that are vital to their survival.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Participatory Action Research to Explore the Role of Structural Violence on Marginalized and Racialized Young Parents
- Creators
- Elizabeth Valdez - Drexel University, Community Health and PreventionJazmine Chan - University of Massachusetts AmherstSaharra Dixon - University of Massachusetts AmherstGray Davidson Carroll - University of Massachusetts AmherstThupten Phuntsog - University of Massachusetts AmherstElizabeth Delorme - University of Massachusetts AmherstJustine Egan - Massachusetts Department of Public HealthAline Gubrium - University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Publication Details
- Health education & behavior, v 51(2), pp 229-239
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- 1901MASRAE / Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001071487500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85172158170
- Other Identifier
- 991021861204904721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs in the Output
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health