What is the research saying?
Youth voices are underrepresented in research, meaning little is known about what they find helpful when it comes to counselling.
A study by Cullen and colleagues describes the importance of including youth with lived experience as co-researchers to improve research approaches to childhood experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV).
What are the findings?
Accessing appropriate supports can be particularly difficult for youth who still live with intimate partner violence, as they may not be ready to share their experiences.
The study shows that providing a supportive space for youth to share their experiences has positive outcomes. When talking about their experiences in a supportive setting, youth experience fewer traumatic symptoms, have less perceived responsibility for the violence occurring and show a higher capacity for coping.
The need to include youth with lived experience
Youth participatory action research (YPAR) is the process of engaging directly with youth as co-researchers to investigate issues that are directly impacting them.
When it comes to childhood experienced intimate partner violence, where there are power dynamics and control is often a key characteristic of relationships, co-research allows for youth to take back their power.
