Utilizing Discord for the Establishment of Online Youth Advisory Councils: A Mixed Methods Study Advancing Digital Strategies for Youth Health Preventions
Session Number
Internship
Advisor(s)
Dr. Kathryn Macapagal
Julianna Lorenzo
Eva Minahan, Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University
Location
Alpha Design Studio
Discipline
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Start Date
17-4-2024 8:35 AM
End Date
17-4-2024 8:50 AM
Abstract
Addressing sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents' healthcare barriers is critical for developing inclusive interventions. Digital platforms like Discord offer an effective avenue for discreetly reaching and engaging SGM teens. In developing a national text-message-based health intervention, we utilized Discord to host a virtual Youth Advisory Council (YAC), engaging 21 participants across the U.S. through polls, open-ended questions, and content creation. Their feedback led to significant developments in the intervention's content and design, making it more inclusive and reflective of SGM teens' experiences and improving the technical aspects of its delivery. An acceptability survey revealed that 93.3% of participants valued their involvement and found the process convenient, highlighting Discord's efficacy in engaging SGM adolescents in advisory roles. With a 93.8% retention rate for subsequent sessions, our findings underscore Discord's potential to facilitate meaningful participation among SGM youth. Recommendations for future digitally hosted YACs include using diverse engagement methods, incorporating interactive elements, and maintaining open communication about the impact of participants' feedback to enhance engagement and build trust.
Utilizing Discord for the Establishment of Online Youth Advisory Councils: A Mixed Methods Study Advancing Digital Strategies for Youth Health Preventions
Alpha Design Studio
Addressing sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents' healthcare barriers is critical for developing inclusive interventions. Digital platforms like Discord offer an effective avenue for discreetly reaching and engaging SGM teens. In developing a national text-message-based health intervention, we utilized Discord to host a virtual Youth Advisory Council (YAC), engaging 21 participants across the U.S. through polls, open-ended questions, and content creation. Their feedback led to significant developments in the intervention's content and design, making it more inclusive and reflective of SGM teens' experiences and improving the technical aspects of its delivery. An acceptability survey revealed that 93.3% of participants valued their involvement and found the process convenient, highlighting Discord's efficacy in engaging SGM adolescents in advisory roles. With a 93.8% retention rate for subsequent sessions, our findings underscore Discord's potential to facilitate meaningful participation among SGM youth. Recommendations for future digitally hosted YACs include using diverse engagement methods, incorporating interactive elements, and maintaining open communication about the impact of participants' feedback to enhance engagement and build trust.