This study examined youth participants in a structured leisure activity and their perceptions regarding the benefits accrued as a result of participation. 4 male and 12 female youth between the ages of 13-16 participated. Data was collected through focus group discussions and analyzed using a thematic analysis. The perceived benefits of participation and the characteristics of the program that caused this accrual were identified. Perceived benefits included improvement in school marks and self-confidence, increased volunteer participation, and the development of prosocial behaviours, social competencies and cognitive skills. Program characteristics included meaningful and supportive relationships, opportunities to build an identity, and involvement in unique learning opportunities. The study was not generalizable to other programs and focused solely on the benefits of participation; not the negative repercussions. It has implications for program design and implementation, and provides support for the need to develop programs that incorporate a positive youth development philosophy.

Abstract Making individuals feel safe in public space is an increasingly relevant issue in planning the city's public space. However, fear is not easy to explain or counteract as this is something that is highly subjective. Many urban planning projects are being carried out today focusing on creating safe and equal environments. Such a project is Frizon in Umeå municipality, which is a meeting place based on young girls' experience of security and gender equality.This study tries to create an understanding of how planners can work with girls' safety in the public space, as well as create an understanding of how places that are planned based on security and gender equality can be perceived.The study has been conducted through interviews, surveys and observations, in which young girls experience the city of Umeå and the meeting place Frizon has been the focus.The result shows that the city is primarily a place to hang out with friends and the places most used by the girls in the city are the central parts for shopping and food, but also some of the city's parks.Many of the girls who participated in the study feel insecure sometimes when in the city, but this is something that occurs mainly when they are alone. Hanging out with their friends is not just something they do for socializing, but this is also something that gives them a sense of security. The result also shows that Frizon is an appreciated place by many girls, but that the site partially feels somewhat unavailable during certain times of the day and year.

In 2012, the Austin Independent School District implemented a ten-year Creative Learning Initiative to develop every school in the district into an arts rich school. However, research on arts richness presents varied descriptions of what an arts rich school looks like and lacks student voices. This MFA Thesis documents an applied project utilizing an arts based research process to explore student beliefs about the value of the arts and arts richness at the middle school level. In the document, I analyze student beliefs about the value of the arts through modified grounded theory from a data set including a performance, a playscript, group discussions, surveys, and my personal field notes and reflections. I find that the students share a similar understanding with published research of overall categories describing arts richness, including quantity of arts opportunities, quality of artistic and educational programs, and school climate. They deepen the perspective researchers present on school climate in arts rich schools, offering specific ways in which the arts invite a positive school climate. I conclude the document with reflections on defining arts richness, the arts based research process, and areas for further consideration as schools move toward creative learning for the 21st century. / text

Inledning: Studier visar att antalet ADHD-diagnosticerade barn och ungdomar successivt har ökat. Det finns i dagsläget få studier om hur barn/ungdomar upplever sin utredning, behandling och samlade vård. Detsamma gäller underlag för att bedöma delaktighetens eventuella effekter på behandlingen, samt vad som kan främja delaktigheten. Det behövs således ökad kunskap om hur barn och tonåringar med ADHD upplever vård och stöd, samt sina möjligheter till att vara delaktiga däri. Frågeställningar: *Hur upplever tonåringar de insatser som givits till dem och deras familjer efter genomgången ADHD-utredning? *Vilken betydelse har insatserna haft för den enskilda tonåringens självbild och dennes del i olika system, samt tankar om sin framtid? *Har den unge känt sig delaktig i de insatser som erbjudits och har hen upplevt att det gått att påverka insatserna? Metod: Kvalitativ undersökningsmetod med tematisk analys av sex semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultat: Det är viktigt för ungdomarna att känna sig förstådda och delaktiga, vilket även påverkar självbild och upplevelsen av insatser. Skolsituationen och det stöd som skolan ger har betydelse för tonåringens förutsättningar. Respondenterna har inte upplevt svårigheter med att berätta om sin diagnos för andra. Diskussion: Delaktighet, egen motivation och upplevelsen att bli förstådda och respekterade utifrån sina styrkor och behov framstår som viktiga för respondenterna. / Introduction: Studies show that the number of ADHD-diagnosed children and adolescents has gradually increased. Currently there are few studies on how children/adolescents experience their assessment, treatment and overall care. The same applies for assessing the possible effects of the participation in treatment as well as factors that can promote the participation. Thus, there is a need for increased knowledge of how children and adolescents with ADHD experience care and support, as well as their opportunities to participate in it. Research questions: * How do teenagers experience the intervention given to them and their families after the review of the ADHD-assessment? * What significance do the intervention have on the individual's self-image and its part in different systems, as well as thoughts about the future? * Has the young person felt involved in the interventions and felt that it is possible to influence the interventions? Method: Qualitative survey methodology with thematic analysis of six semistructured interviews. Results: It is important for young people to be understood and involved, which also affects self-esteem and experience of interventions. The school situation and the support given by the school are important for the teenager's condition. Respondents have not experienced difficulties telling others about their diagnosis. Discussion: Participation, own motivation and experience to be understood and respected on the basis of their strengths and needs appear to be important for the respondents.