Feasibility of a Pilot Virtual National Young Adult Wellbeing Network: Using Art to Heal

Abstract

The current study piloted a virtual 8-week National Young Adult Well-being Network (The Network) to inform funding and policy decisions around post-COVID-19 pandemic healing. Arts-based youth participatory action research (YPAR) was utilized. Essential elements were creation of art as data, group processing, and action planning. Fifteen 18 to 23 year old young people (4 male, 11 female) living in three states participated in The Network. The young people identified as Black ( n = 3), White ( n = 5), Latino/a/x ( n = 6), and Native Mexican ( n = 1). The Network was virtual via Zoom. Attendance was documented and post-intervention individual interviews were conducted. Qualitative thematic analysis of the post-intervention individual interviews assessed feasibility via participant satisfaction (strengths, areas for improvement). Two of The Network’s essential elements (art as data, group processing) were deemed feasible based on participant reported satisfaction and strengths. The action phase was truncated, and was discussed by participants as an area for improvement. Participating in art and group processing in The Network was more feasible than meeting with national stakeholders. More work needs to be done to understand how young people can be involved with decisions at the national and funding level.