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Cited by 148Mental Health and Patient InvolvementChildren's Rights and ParticipationCommunity Health and Development

Implementation of a youth‐adult partnership model in youth mental health systems research: Challenges and successes

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Heffernan, Olivia S., Herzog, Tyson M., Schiralli, Jordana E., Hawke, Lisa D., Chaim, Gloria, Henderson, Joanna L.·2017·Health Expectations
DOI 10.1111/hex.12554PMC PMC5689223
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Abstract

Background: By integrating Youth–Adult Partnerships (Y‐ AP s) in organizational decision making and programming in health‐care settings, youth can be engaged in decisions that affect them in a way that draws on their unique skills and expertise. Despite challenges, Y‐ AP s can have many benefits for youth and adults alike, as well as for the programmes and initiatives that they undertake together. Objective: This article describes the development, implementation and success of a Y‐ AP initiative at the McCain Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a large urban hospital. Method: The McCain Y‐ AP implementation model was developed based on the existing literature, guided by the team's progressive experience. The development and implementation procedure is described, with indicators of the model's success and recommendations for organizations interested integrating youth engagement. Results: The McCain Y‐ AP has integrated youth into a wide range of mental health and substance use‐related initiatives, including research projects, conferences and educational presentations. The model of youth engagement is flexible to include varying degrees of involvement, allowing youth to contribute in ways that fit their availability, interest and skills. Youth satisfaction has been strong and both the youth and adult partners have learned from the experience. Discussion: Through the McCain Y‐ AP initiative, youth engagement has helped advance numerous initiatives in a variety of ways. Flexible engagement, multifaceted mentorship, reciprocal learning and authentic decision making have led to a successful partnership that has provided opportunities for growth for all those involved. Health‐care organizations interested in engaging youth can learn from the McCain Y‐ AP experience to guide their engagement initiatives and maximize success.

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  • Many included studies agreed that engagement makes research more relevant by turning the focus on pertinent issues and by highlighting the importance of nonacademic perspectives in discovering 'unknown unknowns' and producing collaborative knowledge.

    “many agreed that engagement makes research more relevant by turning the focus on pertinent issues and by highlighting the importance of nonacademic perspectives in discovering ‘unknown unknowns’ and producing collaborative knowledge.”

    From A systematic review of theories, models and frameworks used for youth engagement in health research (2024) · cites this paper as [46]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says youth and adults bring different expertise to a well-grounded research project, and the Conclusions (page unavailable) say their partnership enhanced the team's research projects. The paper describes one youth–adult partnership, however; it does not report that many included studies agreed, or say that nonacademic perspectives uncover ‘unknown unknowns.’ (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • Researchers frequently cited evidence suggesting that youth engaged in research are less depressed, have higher self-esteem, are more physically active, obtain higher grades in school and show a greater commitment to their friends, families and communities.

    “Researchers frequently cited evidence suggesting that youth engaged in research are less depressed, have higher self‐esteem, are more physically active, obtain higher grades in school and show a greater commitment to their friends, families and communities. 27 , 46 , 48 , 82 , 86”

    From A systematic review of theories, models and frameworks used for youth engagement in health research (2024) · cites this paper as [46]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) associates youth–adult partnerships with improved school achievement, community citizenship and better health outcomes, and notes that such partnerships can occur in research. It does not substantiate the specific claims of less depression, higher self-esteem, greater physical activity, higher grades or stronger commitment to friends and family among youth engaged in research. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Engagement was thought to provide youth with affective relationships and diverse experiences, helping them develop social, emotional and cognitive competencies, which can also act as protective factors against health-related issues such as disease, violence and substance use.

    “Specifically, engagement was thought to provide youth with affective relationships and diverse experiences, helping them develop social, emotional and cognitive competencies, which can also act as protective factors against health‐related issues, such as disease, violence and substance use. 46 , 49 , 82 , 86”

    From A systematic review of theories, models and frameworks used for youth engagement in health research (2024) · cites this paper as [46]

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  • Among the included studies, researchers made links between engaging youth in research and increasing the relevance of research questions, health promotion and education, and intervention development.

    “Among the included studies, researchers made links between engaging youth in research and increasing the relevance of research questions, 46 , 81 health promotion and education 27 , 34 , 48 , 50 , 78 , 82 , 83 and intervention development.”

    From A systematic review of theories, models and frameworks used for youth engagement in health research (2024) · cites this paper as [46]

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1 of the 20 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [12]Norman J. Building effective youth‐adult partnerships. Transitions: The rights. Respect. Responsibility. Campaign. 2001; 14: 10‐ 12 & 18.

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Authors
Heffernan, O. S., Herzog, T. M., Schiralli, J. E., Hawke, L. D., Chaim, G., & Henderson, J. L.
Affiliations
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
Corresponding author
Henderson, Joanna L.
ORCID
Venue
Health Expectations
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-03-14
Volume
20
Issue
6
Pages
1183-1188
ISSN
  • 1369-6513 (ISSN-L)
  • 1369-7625
DOI
10.1111/hex.12554
PMC
PMC5689223
OpenAlex
W2597633415
Cited by
148
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5
FWCI
11.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Health Expectations (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Children's Rights and Participation
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Community Health and Development
Keywords
youth-adult partnerships, youth participation, youth mental health, mental health services, substance use services, partnership implementation, mentoring, mutual learning, youth participation in decision-making, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cooperative Behavior, Decision Making, Hospitals, Humans, Mental Health Services, Mentors, Research, Program Development, Intergenerational Relations

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