Understanding perspectives and lived experiences of at-risk Taiwanese teenage boys through photovoice

Abstract

Background: At-risk youth often have many unmet health needs and higher prevalence of negative health outcomes. This study fills a gap in the literature regarding the views of at-risk Taiwanese youth, especially those in foster care and the juvenile justice system by: 1) identifying common themes in at-risk boys' perspectives about their lived experiences and health needs, and 2) generating compelling evidence to better advocate for these youth by sharing their needs and experiences with stakeholders. Methods: Photovoice is a qualitative research method in which participants produce photographs and narratives to communicate their perspectives. Thirteen youth from a Taiwan placement facility for teenage boys in foster care or the juvenile court system participated in this yearlong study. After receiving in-depth training, participants spent 3 months taking photos and writing accompanying narratives relating to the research questions. Then, via facilitated individual and group meetings, participants selected photo-narrative pairings they felt best described and captured their experiences in relation to the research questions. Key themes were identified. Photo-narrative pairings were exhibited for local stakeholders. Results: The identified themes were: the lack of and need for companionship, complex relationships with family, the fear of but also benefit of the law, the desire to belong in and be accepted by society, and the impact of activities as a means of stress relief and character development. Participants' conceptualization of health needs primarily centered around psychological stress relating to these themes. Participants perceived sustained mentorship and self-esteem building activities as critical to building resilience and lasting behavioral changes. Conclusion: Youth's perspectives must be at the center of research to make the most well-informed policy decisions. The results shed light on the lived experiences of at-risk youth and how these experiences relate to their health and wellness, and should be used to inform policy recommendations regarding resiliency-and health-promoting services.