Youth Disconnection an Unspoken Crisis: Elevating the Voices of Young People

This qualitative research study investigated the experiences of disconnection among young people, aged 14–26. The researchers interviewed individuals who were neither employed nor enrolled in school, aiming to explore the reasons behind their disconnection. Delving into the experiences of and reasons for disconnection, the study focused on examining and understanding the complex dynamics contributing to disconnection, including interactions with societal systems, such as education and criminal justice, and environmental and social influences, such as neighborhood dynamics and interpersonal relationships.

Seeking to shed light on the role of various systems on youth disconnection, this study elevates the firsthand perspectives of young people through their own words and stories. It emphasizes the need for a more systemic rather than an individualistic approach to address the challenges faced by young people who are not connected to school, work, and other prosocial supports. The approach, therefore, was to inquire not just about the youth’s experience but also in the context of the social systems that shape their experiences. For instance, our analysis shows how the interconnectedness of systems, such as the criminal justice and education systems, has lasting impacts on youth and contributes to significant barriers, such as limited access to resources; persistent and systemic racial injustices; and enduring traumas, impeding their ability to live thriving lives and/or simply reconnect with prosocial institutions. Disconnected youth are also confronted with heightened risks of homelessness, exposure to violence, and a lack of social capital. Despite the challenges many young people in the study faced, they also commonly had a sense of hopefulness and articulated goals and aspirations they hoped to fulfill.

Recruitment was conducted in collaboration with local nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Methods included snowball sampling through the networks of nonprofit organizations and educational institutions and social media outreach. The research team conducted semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes. There were in-person and virtual interview options; most participants chose to participate in in-person interviews. Participants were also given the option of a male or female researcher due to the sensitivity of the conversation. Interviews were conducted between August 2023 and January 2024. The interview protocol had 13 focused questions on themes of disconnection and systems interaction.

The research team used open-ended questions supplemented by organic probing inquiries to ensure comprehensive data collection, as Maxwell (2005) suggested, to facilitate rich data collection. This approach, in line with Merriam (2009), allowed for flexibility and depth during data collection, ensuring a thorough exploration of participants’ experiences. Participants were encouraged to elaborate on their experiences and were given the option to provide additional information post-interview. For participants under 18, we obtained both their consent and that of their parental or legal guardian. The research team also secured a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of Health to provide heightened protection for any sensitive information that study participants disclosed.

Findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and systemic reforms across the education, housing, health, criminal justice, and child welfare systems to address the complexities of youth disconnection.