Engaging and strengthening youth through international community-based research: Implementation and evaluation of an International Youth Advisory Board

Abstract

Youth advisory boards are ubiquitous in community-based research, yet there is limited description of their development or direct benefits to participants within international research contexts. This convergent mixed-method study describes and evaluates the design and implementation of a bilingual International Youth Advisory Board (IYAB) of 10 sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY) aged 15–21 from Canada, the USA, and Mexico. During a 1-year term, youth participated in six virtual meetings, each incorporating an affirming group check in activity, bespoke youth-development workshop requested by participants (e.g., maintaining healthy relationships, managing conflict), and a feedback session to review draft study materials (e.g., recruitment flyers, surveys, and infographics). Participants completed brief quantitative measures at pre- and posttest and reported increased hope, self-esteem, sense of SGD community, self-advocacy skills, access to supportive adults, groupwork skills, and research competence. Qualitative data collected during a focus group in the final meeting were analyzed using inductive content analysis, producing five content categories of growth, diversity, action, connection, and reciprocity. Integrating these findings, three recommendations for implementing an IYAB are described: (1) support youth development and impact, (2) integrate diverse perspectives, and (3) design a transparent feedback loop. Implications for community psychology and community-based participatory research are discussed.