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. 2024 May 17:12:1271215.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1271215. eCollection 2024.

Health through the eyes of youths: a qualitative study

Nikki Ow  1 , Rebecca Zivanovic  2 , Karen Tee  3 , Steve Mathias  2   3 , Skye Pamela Barbic  1   2   3
Affiliations

Health through the eyes of youths: a qualitative study

Nikki Ow et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Emerging definitions of health have suggested a shift in focus to one's ability to manage their health condition, function, and social determinants of health. The construct of health for youths with mental health and substance use disorders (MHSU) is complex and multi-dimensional with interplay between biological, behavioral, and social conditions. Expanding definitions of health is crucial in the measurement of health and evaluation of integrated youth services (IYS) systems for people with MHSU disorders. Hence, it is critical to understand the construct of health from the perspective of a young person living with a MHSU disorder.

Methods: This study was conducted using inductive thematic analysis. Three focus groups were conducted from July to August 2017.

Results: A total of 22 youths (17-24 years) took part in this study. Results showed that health is a multidimensional construct situated in the ecosystem of a person's environment. Health can be understood from two macro themes: Individual health and Determinants of health. It consisted of physical health, mental health, day-to-day functioning, and being in control of your own health condition. Systemic and social factors were factors that influenced the state of health.

Conclusion: This study contributes to a conceptualization of good health in youth with MHSU disorders. This conceptualization can aid in the development of more accurate measures of health and functioning and the evaluation of mental health services for youth with MHSU.

Keywords: access to health and social services; health; psychiatric disorder; quality of life; substance use and misuse; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Saturation grid. *The darker the green, the more prominent the theme.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Picture of focus group discussion.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Image illustrating recovery as a continuum and the relationship between themes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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