Successful youth participation in health research depends on the attitudes of adults

The rights of young people to hold views, have a voice, and be heard by adults are enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and recognised by various international institutions. Participatory research has become the subject of considerable scholarship and policy development, as adults seek to operationalise youth participation in health research and translation. This process refers to a collaborative approach that carries out research with young people, rather than on them. The drive to involve young people in research is underpinned by a commitment to respect their rights and to achieve better services and
professional practices that improve outcomes in health and wellbeing.