The Influence of Parenting and Friendship on Self-Esteem in Adolescents

Facilitating virtual social connections for youth with disabilities: lessons for post-COVID-19 programming

PURPOSE

Social connections are essential for the development of life skills for youth. Youth with disabilities have long faced barriers to meaningful social connections. The onset of COVID-19 increased barriers to social connections for all youth, and also led to enhanced use of virtual platforms in paediatric rehabilitation programming. Harnessing this opportunity, service providers created a suite of online programs to foster social connections and friendships. The current study explores participant and service provider experiences of such programs.

METHODS

This qualitative descriptive study used interviews and focus groups to explore how youth with disabilities (n = 8), their parents (n = 7), and service providers (n = 13) involved in program development and delivery experienced the programs, the accessibility of the virtual platforms, and their social connections in relation to program participation.

RESULTS

Participants were satisfied with the programs' content, accessibility and ability to meet their social needs. Qualitative themes included facilitating social connections, accessibility of virtual spaces, and recommendations for future virtual programming.

DISCUSSION

For youth with disabilities who have been historically marginalized in social spheres, the newly ubiquitous infrastructure regarding virtual programming must be supported and enhanced. A hybrid approach involving virtual/in-person options in future programming is recommended.

The influence of parenting on building character in adolescents

Character building in adolescents starts from childhood and continues throughout the life span. Character building in adolescents is associated with psychosocial development and is very important because it will be a strong foundation for their personality. The purpose of this study was to empirically test the influence of parenting on character building in adolescents. As many as 415 adolescents were involved in the study. The sampling technique used is Cluster Random Sampling. Tools used in this study are in the form of two scales, namely Character Building Scale and Parenting Scale. The scale of youth character building includes three indicators: peace, respect for difference, and awareness. The parenting scale consists of three indicators: parental cooperation, child tolerance, and warmth. Date are analyzed using Simple Regression Analysis. This study showed that, although less significant, parenting influences character building in adolescents. Understanding that the impact of parenting on character formation in adolescents is less critical, in character formation in adolescents it is therefore necessary to pay attention to other factors, namely schools and communities. This study also provides a strengthening understanding that adolescents with cheerful character receive positive social support from their social environment.