This book offers practical, evidence-based recommendations and strategies for meaningfully involving adolescents aged 10-24 years in all stages of the health research process to practitioners and professionals. The under-involvement of adolescents in health research has been attributed to a lack of awareness among researchers on how to engage adolescents. The currently available guidelines are limited in terms of the scope, content, and contexts for which the guidelines are applicable. To address this, the authors have developed a comprehensive set of guidelines on adolescent involvement in health research that are based on a systematic umbrella review of adolescent involvement in research, a rapid review of currently available guidelines on adolescent involvement, a qualitative study with researchers and adolescents from low-, middle-, and high-income countries, and participatory workshops with adolescents and researchers from 14 countries.
The book is organized to provide systematic guidance on all key aspects of adolescent involvement in health research. It introduces the significance of adolescent involvement and the positive impacts of involving adolescents in health research. Following this, the authors provide guidance on the methods and levels of adolescent involvement, planning and preparation, recruitment and reimbursement practices, training for both adolescent and adult researchers, ethical considerations, and monitoring and evaluation of adolescent involvement. Each chapter provides detailed recommendations and practical strategies, ensuring that the strategies are actionable and grounded in rigorous research and stakeholder consultation. In addition, each chapter includes case studies and commonly experienced barriers along with strategies to mitigate these barriers.
By offering practical insights and evidence-based strategies, A Comprehensive Guide to Adolescent Involvement in Health Research equips readers with the necessary tools to effectively engage adolescents in health research. The book serves as a valuable and comprehensive guide for researchers and practitioners involved in health research, particularly those focusing on adolescent health, across diverse settings and contexts, and adolescents interested in contributing to health research.
Chapter 1 An Overview of Guidelines for Adolescent Involvement in Health
Research.
Chapter 2 Approaches, Frameworks, and Models for Adolescent
Involvement in Research.
Chapter 3 Preparation and Planning for Involving
Adolescents in Health Research.
Chapter 4 Ethical Considerations in
Adolescent Involvement in Health Research.
Chapter 5 Identifying,
Recruiting, and Retaining Adolescents in Health Research.
Chapter 6 Training
Adolescents and Researchers on Adolescent Involvement in Research.
Chapter 7
Involving Adolescents at Different Stages of the Research Process.
Chapter 8
Best Practices of Adolescent Involvement in Health Research.
Chapter 9
Maintaining Communication and Conducting Meetings and Workshops with
Adolescents.
Chapter 10 Monitoring and Evaluation of Adolescent Involvement
in Health Research.
Chapter 11 Reporting Adolescent Involvement in Health
Research.
Azza Warraitch, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Trinity Centre for Global Health in Dublin, Ireland. Her research focuses on meaningful involvement of adolescents in health research. Azza holds an MPhil in Applied Psychology and a PhD in Psychology. Prior to her current role, she worked with non-profit organisations in Pakistan, contributing to the development and implementation of school-based programmes aimed at promoting the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents in rural communities. Her work sits at the intersection of global health, psychology, and youth participation, driven by a commitment to advancing equitable, contextually grounded approaches to adolescent health research and practice.
Kristin Hadfield, PhD is an Associate Professor at the School of Psychology and the Trinity Centre for Global Health at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Her research focuses on resilience, wellbeing, and mental health of young people, particularly in challenging contexts. She has led and collaborated on numerous international projects examining psychological, physiological, and social influences on development. Dr. Hadfields work emphasizes effective measurement and methodological innovation, including adolescent participation in health research and the development of culturally relevant interventions. Her work promotes the involvement of children and adolescents in research to ensure their voices and experiences shape the studies that affect them.
