Reliability and Validity of the Youth and Young-Adult Participation and Environment Measure (Y-PEM): An Initial Evaluation

Is the Y-PEM useful for me? Perspectives of youth with visual impairment

PURPOSE

To explore how youth with visual impairments perceive the usefulness of the Y-PEM (Youth and Young-adult Participation and Environment Measure) in capturing their participation and how information generated contributes to their understanding of participation experiences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A qualitative descriptive design was employed among 11 youth with visual impairment (3 females, 8 males) aged 17-24 (x¯ = 21, SD = 2.6) involving two remote sessions one week apart. First, the Y-PEM and QQ-10 questionnaire were administered to evaluate Y-PEM's utility (value and burden), analyzed descriptively. Then, youth reflected on their Y-PEM results via an individual semi-structured Stimulated Recall Interview (SRI), analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

A mean value-score of 77% (SD = 10.4) and burden-score of 19% (SD = 5.6) on the QQ-10 indicated the Y-PEM was perceived as valuable with relatively low burden. Three themes emerged from the interviews. Insights on participation revealed increased awareness of participation patterns and environmental factors. This led to a reflection on personal attributes about levels of comfort and familiarity, efforts required to participate, and personal preferences influencing participation experiences. Finally, approaches to participation elucidated strategies used in decision-making processes about pursuing participation.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest the Y-PEM is useful in capturing and promoting reflection of youth's participation patterns and environmental supports/barriers.

Participation Strategies Used by Young People With and Without Physical Disabilities

Participation strategies used by young people (YP) are understudied. This study aimed to identify strategies used by YP with and without physical disabilities to promote participation at home, school, community, and workplace. In this qualitative descriptive study, 106 participants ages 12 to 30 (x ¯ = 22.7) years, with (n = 52) and without (n = 54) physical disabilities, reported up to three strategies to facilitate their participation in four settings using the Youth, Young-Adult Participation and Environment Measure. A total of 1,235 strategies were analyzed using inductive content analysis. As a result, 11 categories emerged; seven were environment-focused and four were person-focused. Both groups used time management, built on intrinsic factors, and utilized social support across all settings. At school, those with disabilities uniquely benefited from accommodative institutional environments. They also reported more strategies involving advocacy, analyzing a situation, and seeking accommodative physical and social environments. The findings illustrate a range of participation strategies YP use that may inform ways to promote participation more effectively.